“More casualties?” asked forty-five-year-old Morgan Cole as she secured the ends of her newly braided hair with a purple elastic.
Her daughter nodded. “Yeah, but don’t worry. I’ll fish them out before that many people start coming in.”
“Why are all these mice dying anyway?”
“I don’t know. I guess they’d rather be dead than be adopted.”
“Funny, Courtney,” Morgan replied with a snort.
“Look at the bright side, Mom. The rats are doing just fine. And so are the hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs.”
“And the fish, birds and snakes?”
“They looked pretty chipper the last time I checked,” said Courtney.
“Ok, kiddo. I’m going to be in the office for a while, checking inventory and calling in whatever supplies are needed.”
Courtney hopped down from the stepladder she used to reach the cages that were higher up. “Ok,” she said with a smile.
Courtney spent most of the morning feeding the animals, changing cages, and making sure things were arranged properly on the shelves. In between, she waited on the dozen or so customers who had made it in before lunchtime. She wished she could listen to her iPod while she was at it, but she needed to be alert for customers. The best she could do was settle for the radio that played softly at the counter. Too softly to be heard throughout the far recesses of the store, even though it wasn’t a very big store.
She liked Mondays the least because business was slowest then. She’d rather be waiting on customers regularly because it made the time pass faster that way. It wasn’t that she disliked working in the store; she actually enjoyed it very much and loved animals just as much as her mother did. She just hated being bored with not much to do.
They were looking to hire someone to replace the girl they recently fired after they caught her stealing from the register. The person, assuming they could find someone who wasn’t a loony tune or a thief, would be required to work Wednesday through Sunday.
She stepped up to the large tank, which housed half a dozen or so guinea pigs, and reached in to pat one with shiny black fur. “Hey, buddy, you bored too?”
She sighed, walked away from the tank, and was glad to see it was now nearly lunchtime. At least she had that much to look forward to.
Tired of the too-many commercials that were on the radio, she clicked it off and slipped a CD into the CD player instead. In no time, she was tapping her foot to the rock music that poured from the speakers. She almost didn’t hear her mother approach the counter.
“Hey, Courtney, that’s too loud!”
Courtney quickly reached to turn down the volume.
“I know you’re bored, but you have to…”
The store door opened before she could finish.
And Courtney nearly fainted at what she saw.
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Tia Karson stepped off the bus and into the hot summer sun. People of every race and nationality imaginable bustled around her. Some shouted at each other. Others laughed. And others kept to themselves, seeming to want to hide within the crowd.
Good gosh, it’s no quieter out here than in my apartment! she noted to herself.
She scanned the shopping center until she found Cole’s Pets at the left end of the L-shaped strip of stores. She headed in that direction, glad to be enveloped in the cool air inside the store and out of the glaring heat of the sun. She took a moment to let her eyes adjust to the dimmer light of the small store.
“Can I help you?”
Tia glanced at the woman who spoke to her. She was tall and top-heavy with dark hair and eyes. She wore a beige tank top and a violet crepe skirt that flowed nearly to her ankles.
“Sure,” she said with a smile.
The girl standing next to the woman smiled as well with bright, even teeth once their eyes met, then continued chewing her gum. Her hair and eyes were even darker, almost black.
“I actually came to look at your pet rats, then I saw the sign outside saying you were hiring.”
“We are,” the woman said with a nod. “I’m Morgan Cole, the store owner, and this is my daughter, Courtney.” She gestured in her direction.
Courtney smiled again.
So did Tia.
“I’m Tia Karson.”
“Have you ever worked in a pet store before, Tia?”
“No, I can’t say that I have.”
“I don’t have to ask about rats, obviously, but would you have any problems handling snakes?”
“No, not at all.”
“Are you working right now?”
Tia nodded. “Yes, second shift at Rainbow Robin’s restaurant.”
“Oh, wow,” said Morgan. “That’s a far cry from a pet store.”
“Yeah, it is, which is why I’m looking for something more laid back.”
“Rainbow Robin is rocking,” Courtney said in a soft voice that didn’t seem to go with her unfeminine looks. “I’d go crazy working there.”
“It does have its maddening moments,” Tia said with a laugh.
Courtney came out from behind the counter, allowing Tia to see her in full view. The girl wore a blue t-shirt and dark snug-fitting jeans of the low-cut kind. She had rings on just about every finger, gold-studded earrings and a variety of thin, shiny chains around her neck. Tia might have assumed she was a boy if it weren’t for the tight jeans and jewelry. Instead, she figured she was a lesbian. She was plain yet in a cute kind of way with shoulder-length hair that was swept to the side and nearly covered her right eye. The girl shook her hair out of her eyes from time to time.
“Could you work Wednesday through Sunday?”
“Sure, I could do that. What hours?”
“Nine to five. Do you live around here, Tia?”
“I have an apartment just five minutes away. This would be such an ideal location because I could take my bike to and from here since I don’t drive.”
“That’d certainly be convenient, especially with gas prices as outrageous as they are today for those of us who do drive.” Morgan turned and headed towards the back of the store. “I’ll be back in a sec with an application for you to fill out.”
“Ok,” said Tia, all the time aware of Courtney’s unwavering stare from the corner of her eye.
“So you like rats?” Courtney asked.
Tia turned to face the dark-haired girl. “Love them. I’ve had guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice – even birds and fish – but nothing compares to rats.”
“Rats are cool. They’re smart and usually pretty friendly.”
“Yeah, they are.” Tia’s gaze locked with Courtney’s.
“You know,” Morgan began as she headed back to where they were standing, “I probably should’ve told you this up front that, being a small, privately owned business and all, we don’t provide health benefits to our employees. Especially since we usually only have one or two at a time, as the store is relatively small.”
“Oh, that’s ok. I’m pretty healthy.”
“And I’m afraid the best I can offer is $9 an hour for starters.”
“That’s ok, too. I live in a noisy old apartment complex, and so it’s not very expensive even though it’s furnished.”
Morgan placed the application and a pen on the end of the counter and said, “Two things, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.”
Courtney returned to behind the counter and leaned on her elbows.
“It’s against the law to ask someone their age, but it’s also against the law to hire anyone who may be underage.”
Tia chuckled. “I understand. People often mistake me for being younger, but I’m actually twenty-two.”
“So then it’s ok if I see some ID?”
“Sure,” Tia said and pulled her ID from the side pocket of her bronze metallic handbag.
Morgan took the ID, studied it, and said, “I’d like to photocopy this if you wouldn’t mind.”
“No, go ahead.”
Moran went into her office, and once again, she was alone with Courtney.
But not for long. Before the seemingly shy girl could say anything, a customer entered the store. Then she waited on the gentleman who was interested in some feeder mice, as she began filling out the application. She was halfway through it when Morgan returned from the office and finally finished it just as the customer was leaving.
“Next question,” Morgan said, as the door swung shut.
“Yes?”
“Do you think the restaurant would be willing to provide a reference for you?”
“Sure. I don’t see why not.”
“Great. So what were you doing before Rainbow Robin?”
“I moved down here to Cali a few months ago from southern Oregon where I was singing in a nightclub.”
“Oh, really? Courtney here sings, too. She’s never done it professionally, but she does ok for an amateur.”
“Singing was fun and the pay was ok, but the weather sure wasn’t, so that’s why I came down here.”
Both mother and daughter laughed, then Morgan said, “You’ll definitely get warmth and sunshine here, though the winters can be rather wet and chilly at times.”
“Do you like it here so far?” Courtney asked.
Tia nodded. “So far, yes. There are a little more people than I’m used to, and it’s expensive overall, but I do like the variety of stores and the warm sunshine.”
“So your family’s still up in Oregon?” Courtney asked.
“Courtney,” her mom scolded gently. “Haven’t we been nosy enough?”
Tia chuckled. “It’s quite ok.” Then her look turned serious. “I don’t have any family. It’s just me, myself, and I. But I do have a few friends I still keep in touch with.”
“Okie dokie,” said Morgan. “I’ll call Rainbow Robin and ask for the guy you put down for a reference, then we can plan on you coming in at 9:00 Wednesday morning, ok?”
Courtney smiled and almost looked like she was going to squeal with delight.
“Sounds great. I’ll be looking forward to it,” said Tia.
“Courtney, you want to show her around the store, explain her duties, then let her choose a new friend?”
“Sure,” Courtney said, with a hint of eagerness in her voice.”
Until Tia went to follow Courtney to the front section of the store, her backside hadn’t been visible to anyone. So it wasn’t until she turned around that Morgan saw just how long her hair was. “Oh, my God!”
At first, Courtney looked confused, not understanding what had surprised her mother so much.
“I thought my braid was long, hanging to my bra strap. Well, this ain’t no braid. That’s a braid.” She pointed at Tia
Tia smiled. “Yeah, it’s quite long.”
Courtney then saw the long yellow-blonde braid that hung below Tia’s buttocks. “My God, that is long!”
“I guess you could say that I learned a long time ago that the best way to avoid a bad cut is not to bother.”
Courtney and her mother erupted with laughter, then Courtney said, “Ok, hun, time for the grand tour of Cole’s little empire.”
For the next ten minutes, Courtney explained where things were kept when they changed the cages, how to ring up orders, and what additional cleaning would need to be done. The more Tia saw of the store, the more she was turned on to the idea of working there.
And working with Courtney. What was it about this ordinary girl that attracted her so? Tia wasn’t sure if the feeling was mutual or if Courtney was just a very friendly person, but she did know she liked being by her side. It was as if she was always meant to be there.
That’s ridiculous! she told herself in her mind. You don’t even know this girl.
“So, how old are you?” Tia asked, then she quickly caught herself and added. “I’m sorry. I guess I get nosy myself at times.”
“Oh, that’s fine. You can ask anything you want. I’m twenty-five.”
“You look a little younger, too.”
Courtney smiled and asked, “So you live alone, huh?”
Tia nodded. “And you?”
“I live alone, but my mother also lives on the land up the hill.”
“The land?” Tia asked, not sure what Courtney meant.
“We have a ten-acre parcel of land.”
“Oh, wow. Like a farm?”
“No, we don’t farm any of it. It’s just me, Mom, and her new husband, Stan. Along with mom’s dog, of course.”
“That’s cool.”
“It’s a beautiful place and very peaceful, too. It’s here in Auburn, about fifteen minutes from the store.”
“I haven’t had a chance to do much exploring yet, so I didn’t realize one could have land that size so close to town.”
The chimes above the door jingled, and a young couple walked in. “I’ll take care of them,” Morgan called out to them.
Turning back to Tia, Courtney said, “So, you ready to check out the rats?”
“Sure am.”
“How are you going to get back with it?”
“I guess I’ll have to catch the bus.”
“Ooh,” Courtney hesitated. “It’s awfully hot out there, hun. How about this? Why don’t you pick the one you want and let Mom and me drive it over to you after work?”
Tia’s eyes widened with surprise and pleasure. “You would do that for me?”
“Sure. It’s pretty much right on the way home anyway, so I don’t see why Mom would have a problem with it.”
“Oh, you’re so kind. Thank you so much.”
“No problem.”
They approached the rat cages.
“Do you do your own breeding, or do you have a supplier?”
“No, we do it ourselves,” Courtney said. “What are you looking for, a male or a female?”
“Whatever seems friendliest, I guess, though I know that while the females are usually smarter, the males are usually nicer.”
“Yup, that’s true.”
Together, they handled the different rats, and out of the dozen or so rats for sale, Tia settled on a brown female. “Tinkerbell,” said Tia.
“Tinkerbell?”
“It just came to mind.”
“I like it. It’s a cute name.” Courtney put her back in the cage and said, “Ok, she’s all yours. I’ll make sure no one else gets her.”
“Thanks again, Courtney.”
“You’re quite welcome.”
The two stared into each other's eyes for a moment, then headed towards the register.
“Didn’t like any of them?” Morgan asked when she saw that Tia was empty-handed.
“No, she picked one out. It’s just that given how hot it is out there, I thought we could run it by her place on the way home. Would that be ok?”
“That would be fine.”
“Thank you so very much.” Tia reached into her purse. “I’ll give you a little more for doing me the favor.”
Both women rejected the offer, then Morgan said, “Why don’t we just consider the rat a welcome aboard present, then deduct the cost of any supplies you need from your pay from here on out instead, ok sweetie?”
“Oh, how nice! You’re both so kind that I almost feel as if I already know you.”
Morgan smiled and said, “Stick around long enough and I just may be treating you like Courtney in no time.”
Courtney rolled her eyes and said, “Which means she’ll always be nagging you.”
Tia laughed.
“Do you need a cage or any bedding or food today?” Morgan asked.
“No, I have a cage, plus some food and bedding. I lost a rat a few weeks ago that I had for two years.”
“Aw, how sad,” said Courtney. “Hopefully, this little critter will do a good job of making up for it.”
“I’m sure she will,” Tia replied.
Tia left the store and Courtney practically skipped with delight back to the counter.
“Forget it, girl. You know she’s probably straight, and you know you’ve always been against mixing business with pleasure. Didn’t you just chastise your friend on that one, insisting that that’s why she’s having so much trouble at work?”
Courtney shrugged.
Morgan headed back into the office. She had never had a problem with her daughter’s sexual orientation. She’d been aware of it far before Courtney had, and to her, it didn’t matter who she was with as long as she was happy. And Morgan had certainly never seen her daughter this happy before. Especially over someone she hadn’t even known for an hour.
The heavy woman settled into the office chair. It creaked in protest. She then sighed and shook her head. “Young people.”
She moved on to the next task. That would be to get Stanley Hagan to sign his own life insurance policy for an impressive $150,000.
Courtney flicked the radio on, no longer the least bit bored.
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Courtney stepped out of the store with the box that contained Tinkerbell, and her mother locked the door behind them. Courtney then quickly sped over to her mother’s car.
“Wait, wait,” her mother said, trying to catch up. “Don’t be in such a hurry.”
“I’m in no hurry,” came the reply.
“Yeah, right. And I’m not tall and wide.”
They got in the car and drove out of the parking lot. They wove through traffic as Tinkerbell began to stir within the box.
“Calm down,” Courtney soothed. “You’re going to like your new home. And your new mommy.”
“I don’t know about that,” Morgan said as they pulled into Tia’s apartment complex a moment later. “She may like her new mom, but I don’t know about much else.”
“Ew,” Courtney said, eying the run-down complex. “What a dump for someone who seems so nice to have to live in. Poor thing.”
“Life isn’t always fair.” Morgan pulled up by Tia’s building. “Just make it quick, Courtney.”
“I will.” Courtney jumped out, box tucked under her arm, made her way to Tia’s second-floor apartment, and knocked on the door.
The door opened a few seconds later. “Hi,” Tia said with a smile, hair now hanging loose almost to the hem of her flowered sundress.
“Hi. Wow, look at you,” Courtney said as she entered the apartment.
Tia smiled. “Sorry you had to come to such a zoo.”
“I’d say that this is no place for you, but I see why it would be affordable.”
“That it is,” Tia said, taking the box from Courtney and gently placing the rat in the cage she had set up just hours before. “There you go, sweetie pie. In no time at all, you’ll find the cheese and other goodies.”
Courtney closed the apartment door and said, “I see you already got things set up.”
Tia latched the cage door and stood up. “Yup, sure do.”
Courtney glanced around the apartment. “Stark contrast to the outside. Meaning that you keep it nice and neat in here.”
“I try, and since it’s only a little 400-square-foot studio, I don’t have much room to make a mess in any way.”
Courtney laughed and said, “My trailer’s only another 100 square feet, so I know what you mean there.”
“Can I get you anything?”
“Oh, no, thanks, but I really have to be going, so I don’t keep mom waiting much longer. Wish I could stay, though.”
“I understand. This is no place to be waiting around. Thanks again for bringing her home to me. Will I see you on Wednesday?”
“You bet,” Courtney said with a smile. “I’m off Thursdays and Fridays, but we’ll definitely see each other the other days that you work.”
“Good. I’ll see you then.”
“Ok, enjoy your new friend and be sure to lock the door and stay safe,” Courtney said, burning one last mental imprint of the image before her into her brain as she turned to leave.
“I will.”
Courtney headed down the stairs and back to her mother’s car.
“All set?” asked Morgan.
Courtney nodded. “Uh-huh. She already had the cage set up.”
“How’s the inside look?”
“Very nice, actually. She seems to keep things neat and clean, but I sure don’t like the outside.”
“Yeah, one fellow already tried begging for money, and another wanted to sell me a joint.”
Courtney fastened her seatbelt as they pulled out of the parking lot and exhaled loudly. “She’d be better off on our land even if it was in just a tiny tent.”
“And you’d be better off not setting yourself up for a broken heart. Even if she were gay or bisexual, you don’t know anything about her, and I already think she’s too good to be true as it is.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Courtney asked, speaking louder now that they were on the freeway.
“I’m not saying she’s got any serious skeletons hiding in her closet, but she comes down here with no friends, all alone, and simply relocates because she wants to warm up? Sounds pretty extreme to me.”
“Southern Oregon’s not that far from northern California, Mom.”
“That’s true, but I still think something may’ve happened and that she may be a bit disturbed. I sense these things.”
“Oh, please,” Courtney said, rolling her eyes. “Can we talk about something else now?”
“Just keep an open mind.”
“Yeah, I’ll be on the alert for any signs of instability, and if I find any, you can tell me you told me so.”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
“There’s a detour ahead, Mom.”
“No, there’s not. That’s for the other lane.”
Yet when they reached the detour a few minutes later, Courtney said, “I told you so.”
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