Liars Like Us

2

“Yes, it did. After I put it through twice.”

I wince, then start to chew my thumbnail. “s**t. I’m so sorry. It’s just been a little tight lately, what with the economy and inflation and still trying to get over the pandemic downturn—”

He interrupts, “No, no, I understand completely. It’s been hard times for everybody in retail, that’s for sure.”

I’m relieved for half a second, until he says, “Which is actually why I’m calling.”

There’s something in the tone of his voice that makes my pulse jump.

“What do you mean?”

He clears his throat. “Well, your current lease term will end soon…” Oh no. Oh God no, don’t you dare do this to me right now. “…and as you know, we haven’t raised the rent in several years…” Don’t say it, Bill. Please don’t say what I think you’re about to say.

“…but with ValUBooks moving into the complex, those smaller spaces like yours are going to command a much higher price per square foot. So I’m afraid there’s going to be an increase.”

When my silence becomes too much for him to bear, he says sheepishly, “Your rent will double starting September first.”

“Double?” I shout, startling the chubby orange cat dozing on the countertop nearby. “You’re telling me you want me to pay twenty thousand dollars a month for rent?”

At least he has the decency to sound embarrassed. “You haven’t had an increase in five years. And before that, it was another five. It’s only fair that we bring things up to current market value.”

I want to say that if things were fair, my father would never have died in the first place.

If things were fair, my mother wouldn’t have succumbed to breast cancer when I was only ten years old.

If things were fair, for f**k’s sake, I wouldn’t have had to skip college to help run the family business. The business currently gasping its last breath.

But I simply close my eyes and draw a slow breath. “I have people who rely on this business for jobs, Bill.”

“And I have people who rely on my business for theirs. I’m really sorry,

Em. This isn’t personal.”

My face flaming, I retort, “Actually, this is about as personal as it gets.” “Look. You’re a businesswoman. You know how it goes. Only the strong survive.”

“That’s not business, it’s a Bruce Springsteen song.”

“Same thing.”

“You could’ve given me a little more notice!” “Would it have made any difference if I did?”

I close my eyes and exhale in defeat. We both know he could give me a year’s advance notice, and I still wouldn’t be able to make the new rent.

At that moment, the marching band I didn’t know had assembled in the parking lot launches into an enthusiastic rendition of “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones.

“What’s all that racket?” says Bill.

“The sound of my life ending.” I slam the receiver down with a curse, making the orange cat on the counter glare at me in outrage for disturbing him.

Taylor bursts through the door, knocking Sabine aside in her rush.

“Hey!” Sabine says, aggravated. “I’m standing here!”

Without acknowledging her, Taylor crosses to me in a few long strides and slaps her hands down on the countertop.

Leaning in, she says hotly, “They have a Starbucks. A f*****g Starbucks, those t***s!”

In addition to her fondness for piercings and tattoos, Taylor also has a vulgar mouth. It’s one of the many things I love about her.

“We knew that, Tay. It was announced in the paper.”

Murph says, “Taylor, make yourself useful and go find something next door to light on fire. Preferably the romance section.”

Harper snaps, “Don’t diss romance novels, Murph! They’re the only thing that’s gotten me through the last year!”

Taylor smirks. “Yeah, that and your battery-operated toy collection.” Harper props her hands on her hips and glares at her. Sabine laughs. Murph’s face turns red. And I reach for the bottle again, because this is going to be a very long day.

It’s just as I’m swallowing around the burn of the whiskey that I catch a glimpse of a man through the shop windows.