Sunrise Sunset

The rest of the day was very busy and Sarah didn’t get a chance to talk to Dee again. There was always at least one customer in the store and Sarah was kept on her toes ringing up purchases, or ordering books for the upcoming holidays.

Dee was her usual self all smiles and full of stories for those who stopped to talk to her. She even went as far as to recommend some books for people who looked a little lost.

Just before 5 o’clock the bell went again telling Sarah that a new customer had walked in. She was working on the window display so she wasn’t able to great them when they came in.
Sarah finished putting up the cardboard display for the latest Children’s fantasy book and stepped over the wooden divide into the shop proper.
The newest customer had moved to the classics section and had his back to her.

He wore a tan suede jacket, loose slacks and brown loafers. He had long blonde hair tied back with a simple brown knot.

She moved toward the desk and waited for him to make his purchase.
Dee looked up from her knitting in the direction of the newest arrival and nodded to Sarah. She understood the hint and left the till and moved towards the newest customer.

As she approached he turned so that Sarah was facing the sun when she spoke to him causing the evening light blinding her momentarily so she couldn’t see his face.
“May I help you sir?” she raised her hand to shield her eyes from the bright light.

“Yes, I am looking for a copy of the Iliad.” His voice was soft, almost hushed. Sarah thought it was familiar but couldn’t place it.
“The story or translation?” Sarah asked immediately scouring the shelves.
“I would prefer it in Greek, but a translation would do.” The whispering man moved his hand to indicate the shelves. “I can’t find it here.”
“Original Greek of the Iliad, humm” Sarah said to out loud. “We could order it in if you are prepared to wait. We don’t normally stock foreign languages. But our stockist does have a publication that might interest you.” Sarah left the shelves and moved back to the till.
But Dee was already at the desk leaning on her cane. “Who asked for the Iliad, Sarah?” She looked around Sarah to see the stranger.
When Dee saw him her face paled and she dropped her cane. She started to fall when Sarah rushed over to stop the older woman from hurting herself.
Sarah dove to the ground and tore the knees on her trousers as she skidded over the carpet. She caught Dee in her arms before any injury was sustained held her.
“You alright?” Sarah panted. Dee just kept her eyes shut and nodded.
“Let’s get you to your chair.” Sarah struggled to stand up still supporting Dee’s weight.
The customer thrust the cane into Dee’s hand wordlessly and Dee put her weight on it long enough for Sarah to stand up. Sarah then guided the older woman to her chair and helped her to sit.
Sarah then took Dee’s wrist into her own and tried to measure her pulse. Dee’s heart was racing and her skin was clammy.
“Sarah,” Dee whispered her eyes still closed. “I think I need something to eat. I feel very light headed.”
“I’ll be right back.” Sarah rushed off to the staff tearoom not thinking twice about the customer.

When the young lady had left the shop front the stranger came over to Dee’s chair and knelt beside her. Dee opened her eyes and they were red and shining, full of tears.

“It is you isn’t it? I thought you were gone.” Dee whispered. She reached out a shaking hand and touched the stranger’s face. She closed her eyes again and leaned back in her chair, tears falling down her face.

“I knew I didn’t have long left in this world, I can feel it as much as I can see my body betraying me. But in my mind I am still a young girl. Lithe and tender, full of hope and dreams.” She swallowed and looked back at him.

“I never stopped dreaming you know, never. Even when I was scorned for wasting my life away I held on to my dreams. The children love it though. I tell them my stories.” She stopped and drew a ragged breath. Her eyes echoed the pain in her voice, the fatigue and the regret.

He stayed silent and wiped away her tears with his thumb. He had no words to say to her, nothing could be done to stop the ravages of time. He only offered her the soundless comfort that touch could provide. She took his comfort bravely not expecting anything more.

“Time and dreams, they follow us everywhere. I wonder if it will see me after all of this. But I doubt that you or anyone can tell me that.” She swallowed again and looked toward the door expecting Sarah to arrive any minute with some food to help Dee get over her dizzy spell.

He took the hint and removed his hand from her, only after tracing the line of her lips with his fingers. He stood up and clasped his hands behind his back waiting for Sarah to return. His expression guarded, light dancing off lenses of the silver rimmed glasses he wore


Mean while Sarah franticly rushed about the tearoom looking for the last of the packet of cookies. She was convinced that there were at least 2 cookies left when she brought one to Dee this morning. Sarah always had extra food about just in case this happened, but there was nothing. She quickly ran to the small bar friged and got out a jug of juice and there was one cookie on a plate hiding behind the jug. Sarah poured the juice into a class and grabbed the plate.

She kept worrying about the delay and wanted to get back to Dee as soon as she could. First Dee had brought up that topic this morning and now this dizzy spell.
Sarah stopped that train of thought and concentrated on carrying the plate and the glass of juice. After she was sure Dee was ok Sarah was going to close the shop and run to the supermarket to stock up on more food for the bookstore.

Sarah had to work her way around the boxes and piles of old stock and push open two doors with her back before she could deliver the cookie and juice.
When she got to the elderly woman’s side Sarah handed her the juice and then lifted the cookie off the plate to put it directly into Dee’s hand,

“There you go,” Sarah fussed “Drink the juice first it will get absorbed faster.”

Dee smiled through the glass as she obediently drank. When she finished half the glass she said, “Sarah, I’ve been a diabetic almost longer than you’ve been alive. I know what to do.” And then Dee took a bite out of the cookie and chewed it slowly.

Forgotten in the moment the strange man whispered his excuses and mentioned he would return in the morning then turned his back to the two women.
“Be sure to come before 11, sir.” Dee called weakly “Sarah will be reading to the children at 11.” She smiled at the younger woman. “It will be the first time she shared her dreams.”

“Oh I doubt that entirely.” the stranger whispered and left the shop.

Sarah looked up long enough to see his shadowed profile walk past the store window and cross the street. “Strange man” Sarah shrugged and continued to fuss over the elderly women, despite Dee’s protests.