Sunrise Sunset

Sarah turned back to Dee and made sure the elderly woman finished the juice and cookie. When Dee had swallowed her last bite Sarah nodded and locked the door and turned the sign from “open” to “closed”.
She then rushed to Dee’s side again and looked at her closely.
“All you alright? Shall I call a Doctor?”

Dee smiled a tolerant smile, patted Sarah’s hand and shook her head. “I’m fine dear, I got up too quickly and got dizzy, and that is all.”
“But you were so pale.”
“I don’t think seeing a doctor will help me pet. Not unless he can make me 24 again.” Dee chuckled. “You close up the till and then you can drive me home. I think I need a touch more rest, and I don’t want to walk.”
“Alright Dee, but I’m worried this isn’t like you at all.” Sarah got up and walked the short distance to the till.
”First you asked me to tell the story tomorrow, talking about how little time you have left, now this.” Sarah sighed and punched some numbers on the till.
“I’m no spring chicken dear.”
“But you don’t have a foot in the grave yet. You sound like you are giving up. I don’t like it Dee.” Sarah finished with the receipts and counting up the float before she locked the till.
“Sarah when that man comes back.”
“I doubt he will. He’s strange…”
Dee smiled a mysterious smile unnoticed by Sarah. “Ok, IF he comes back then, there is a copy of the Iliad on the cabinet. It is in Greek. Bound in yellow leather. I think our fine gentleman would be interested in it.
“Fine?” Sarah looked suggestively at Dee. “Fine? Dee, was that an act to have the man come rushing to you?”
“Well he was good looking” the older woman packed her knitting away. “Don’t you think so?”
“I don’t know I didn’t see his face clearly. The sun was in my eyes and then I was worried about you.” Sarah shrugged “I guess his hair was nice, but that was all I saw.”

Sarah turned off the lights and guided Dee to her car. When Dee was settled Sarah returned to the shop and rolled down the old-fashioned shutters created to protect the windows.

She came back to the car and Dee was dozing so Sarah buckled up and started the car.

The journey to Dee’s small house was very short and uneventful. Sarah made sure that the older woman was settled and comfortable in her chair with a cup of tea and her dinner heating before leaving.

Sarah then got some more cookies and supplies for the store’s tea cupboard before driving home.
Her dad, Karen and Toby were already home and getting ready for dinner. Toby was bouncing up and down excited about soccer practice tomorrow and about practicing at school during recess

“We’ve made our own teams and everything,” he said waving his fork in the air before setting it down on the table. “John, Philip and I are on one side, and Jessie, Pete, and Megan are on the other. We use our coats as goal posts. It’s really cool Sarah!”

”I’m sure it is Toby, it sounds exciting.” Sarah said putting the plastic Jug of milk in the fridge “This is for the shop Karen Kay?”
“Are you coming to see me play tomorrow?” Toby interrupted Karen before she could acknowledge Sarah.

“Toby.” Karen scolded. “You’re interrupting.”
“Sorry mom.” Toby hung his head for about 5 seconds then bounced up and ran in front of Sarah. “So you gonna?”

“Sorry kiddo, I’ve got to work, you know that. Plus Dee asked me to do the story this week.”

“What!” Toby was shocked “Dee always reads the story! The book only works for her. I’ve seen it, it’s blank for anyone else.”
“How did you know it was blank Toby?” Sarah asked with a scolding tone “You know that is Dee’s special book.”
“It was left out one week and I peeked. Don’t tell please.”

Sarah smiled at her younger brother and ruffled his messy red hair. “It’s ok I won’t tell. I’ve peeked at it a few times myself too.”

“Then how come you reading this week?”

“Well, I don’t know really.” Sarah sighed and sat down at the table with the rest of her family as the dinner was served. “Dee was in an odd mood today, then she got a dizzy spell. I’m worried about her.”

“How old is she now?” Karen asked spooning some vegetables on to her plate before passing them on.

“89, she will be 90 in January. But she has the energy of a woman of sixty.”
“Wow she’s old.” Toby examined before shoving some food into his mouth.

“She isn’t sixty though, and she has no family.” Sarah’s dad added. “She’s leaving the bookstore to you isn’t she?”

“Yeah, we talked about it a few times. She used to call me her retirement fund” Sarah Laughed, “ But I never really though about it, it was always something so far away. Dee has sorta adopted me as a granddaughter. I think once she joked about leaving me everything before she gets whisked away by the fairies.”

“But how can you read the book tomorrow? It only works for Dee?” Toby interjected.
“Oh that, She’s asked the book to be nice to me and let me read it.” Sarah smiled her loving smile and the conversation turned once again to Toby’s soccer exploits.


Sarah picked up Dee first thing in the morning andve hve her to the store. Saturdays were very busy days in the store so Sarah wanted to make sure that Dee was ok by having her close at hand.
There was a new student who worked on Saturdays and was using the till very effectively and Sarah was able to make sure Dee was comfortable and had a cup of tea.

People started to arrive and gather around Dee at quarter to, and by 11 o’clock the floor around Dee’s chair was filled with children sitting down ing ing and waiting for Dee’s story time.

Sarah brought the book to Dee as usual by unlocking the cabinet and lifting out the book. Then Sarah would lock the cabinet and carry the book to Dee, the children parting the way for her.
But this Time Sarah didn’t hand the book to Dee. This time Sarah Sat down on a large cushion and kept the book.

“Dee, could you ask the book if I may read the story today?” Sarah asked loudly so that all the whispering children could hear her. Dee smiled and looked to the boys and girls in front of her.

“Dearies,” she said to them, “I’m feeling quite tired today and my voice isn’t really able to read to you all so would you help me and ask the book to let Sarah read?” when all the children started to nod Dee counted “Then when I say three we all say ‘Please book let Sara read’ OK? One. Two.. Three…”
The small building was filled with a chorus of children asking the question.
Then Sarah opened the book and made a surprised look.

“The book is letting me read it!” she laughed and looked to Dee. When the elderly woman nodded Sarah looked to the children. Dozens of little faces looked up to Sarah with delight and surprise.

“Thank you book for letting me read you, and thank you children for your help. I doubt the book would let me read it if you hadn’t asked so nicely. The book really likes being read to you. Now shall I begin?”

Some of the children said yes and most nodded ready to be transported to the special world of Sarah’s creation.

Sarah took a deep breath and started to tell a story.

“Not too long ago there was a wonderful store. A store so magical that no matter what you wanted you could find it there.

Now this store wasn’t much to look at from the outside, but when you walked in the door you instantly knew that this was a special place.

This special place had a wonderful granny in it. She had a wonderful smile and a warm hug, and she would always tell anyone who came in that they were very welcome to be there and she would do what she could to help them find what they wanted.
Everyone loved the granny and many people kept coming back just to talk to her.” And on the story went. Sarah poured her heart and joy into it trying to make the children love the Granny in the story as much as Sarah loved and treasured Dee.

She wanted Dee to understand so much and to make the woman remember what she had to live for. Insider her story was woven the plea for Dee not to give up just yet, and for Dee to know Sarah loved her.

Halfway through her story someone walked into the store and stayed hidden in the shadows. The light occasionally bounding off the silver rimmed glasses. He heard Sarah’s story and understood the meaning behind it as only one other in the store understood.

Dee looked up from the storyteller for a heartbeat and met his gaze. She bit her lip and looked back to Sarah with tears in her eyes.