Bobby felt a twinge of melancholy as he closed the store on his last day at Book Ends, the little book store that specialized in popular fiction, sci-fi and fantasy. It was his summer job before college, but he had become very fond of the little bookstore and her proprietor, Ms. Ross. She was tall like a willow tree and had short dark hair, which gave her a severe look. Her face was long and pointy, with high cheekbones. She had an unsettling gaze, her mouth a little too wide and a nose a little too long. The rest of her body was firm and tight. Bobby couldn't tell entirely because the clothes she'd usually wear hid most of her form. He'd noticed that her small breasts were full and that her hips rounded up her figure just right. Bobby knew just what he could do with those hips if given the chance. Ms. Ross was not altogether an unpleasant sight, but she was an acquired taste. What Bobby loved about her most though were her legs – they seemed to go on forever. He could spend all day just staring at them. Everything about her conveyed strictness and she seldom smiled. She was like a work of art, albeit a cold one.
Ms. Ross dressed conservatively, rather like the stereotypical librarian, with one small exception; she wore classy red, rectangular glasses. Bobby wasn't sure of her age but he pegged her somewhere in her late thirties. She had given up a career in law to start Book Ends because she loved to read. Bobby knew her to be firm and direct, but he knew she could also be caring. He knew this from her friends who visited regularly at the store. Ms. Ross had her fair share of suitors' too; hotshot lawyers from the way they dressed, but she never showed interest.
"I'd like a word before you leave," Ms. Ross said as she finished counting the receipts of the day.
"Word," Bobby rejoined. They both grinned. It was lame but it worked. Despite their short time together, they had become accustomed to each other. Ms. Ross was a tough boss but he got along well with her. Bobby knew he would miss working at Book Ends because he would miss her most of all. Despite her severe looks, he liked her. He liked looking at her. Sometimes he caught her looking at him too. Although he worked out regularly at the gym, Bobby couldn't be sure if she was admiring his body or merely looking out for him. Maybe she didn't want him hurt lifting heavy boxes of books. Then again, maybe she liked his broad shoulders. Maybe. Smiling to himself, he finished his task and followed her into her office.
The office was a narrow room at the back of the store. Filing cabinets hid the walls on one side and boxes of books on the other. The boxes piled almost to the ceiling. A large desk dominated the middle of room. She had a large poster directly behind the desk. It was a picture of a towering castle perched precariously on a cliff against a fantasy landscape. Numerous bridges connected different parts of the picture to another. The caption beneath read, 'A Bridge Never Crossed Is Like A Life Never Lived.' Ms. Ross sat at her desk and directed Bobby to the empty chair opposite her. She smiled warmly at him.
"Bobby, you've been a great help to me this summer. You are hard working and full of initiative and I wanted you to know how much I appreciate you. I'll be sorry to lose you but at the same time, I'm happy that you're going on to college."
Bobby blushed and muttered his thanks. Compliments came rarely from Ms. Ross. He tried to meet her gaze as she continued.
"I also want you to know that you're always welcome back here, both as a former colleague and as a friend. Anytime and anything you need, I'll be here for you."
"Thanks. I enjoyed working here and I learned a lot working for you." Bobby replied.
Ms. Ross took out a small envelope from her desk drawer and slid it across to him. "Think of this as a token of my appreciation."
He opened up the envelope and counted almost two months pay within. He stared at the money in disbelief. He had already been paid.
"You've earned every cent," she smiled at the look on his face.
"Wow, thanks Ms. Ross," Bobby stammered. The money would certainly go a long way. "Thanks very much!"
"Call me Jo, all my friends do."
Ms. Ross took his hand and gave it a squeeze. Her touch was casual yet Bobby felt his loins stir. She had told him he would be welcome back but he still felt this was good-bye. He wanted to tell her how he felt but didn't dare. What if she laughed at him? What if she thought him a silly boy infatuated with an older woman?
Bobby inadvertently glanced again at the poster behind Ms. Ross. If he did nothing now he would regret this moment for the rest of his life. He would spend all his tomorrows wondering if things would have turned out different if only he had had the guts. Summoning his courage in an intake of air, he decided to cross this bridge.
"Jo, now that you're no longer my boss, I was wondering if we could…maybe…go out or something," Bobby stumbled. This was his first time asking out a woman twice his age.
Ms. Ross fixed her gaze on Bobby. "You want to go out with me?" She stated each syllable clearly and if to understand him better. It was half a statement and half a question. She stopped squeezing his hand.
"Yeah, I've been attracted to you since the first day but never quite had the guts to say so."