Book Haven: Thursday 10-5PM [10-4-07]

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana opened Book Haven, then kind of hid out in the back, figuring she could just busy herself with cleaning and re-stocking unless customers came in.

Comments

[joanna-stayton.livejournal.com]

Joanna walked in and immediately covered her nose. She hated the smell of musty books.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana came out from the back room when she heard someone come in. "Hello," she said politely. "Can I help you?"

[joanna-stayton.livejournal.com]

Joanna looked the girl over. "My butler apparently had a birthday. I thought I might get him something."

She looked about she shop, her lip curled. "He likes books."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Sounds like a wonderful idea, then," Lana said. "Do you know what kind of books he likes or any other hobbies he has?"

[joanna-stayton.livejournal.com]

Joanna thought it over. "No," she said. "Though you look like a bright and charming young lady. What would you suggest?"

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"A good murder mystery, perhaps?" Lana offered.

[joanna-stayton.livejournal.com]

"That could work," she commented, looking about the shelves.

While she was here, she might as well get something for herself, right? "Tell me, do you have any good lusty romance novels?"

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Oh, of course," Lana said. "We have quite a good selection over here." She directed the woman to the right place.

[joanna-stayton.livejournal.com]

"I adore a good romance, don't you?" Joanna pulled out a book at random and flipped it open, scanning for the sex scenes.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Usually, yes," Lana said a little wanly. "They're quite nice."

[joanna-stayton.livejournal.com]

Joanna picked up on the unhappy edge in Lana's voice. "Usually?"

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Not really exactly in the romance mood at the momet," Lana admitted. "But the books are great, don't let me influence you."

[joanna-stayton.livejournal.com]

Joanna loved a juicy story, even if it was from someone in the service industry. She tried to sound concerned, "Are we having some issues in the romance department?"

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"My boyfriend got pulled out of school," Lana said, ducking her head. "It's very unlikely that I'll ever see him again. It's just... really hard."

[joanna-stayton.livejournal.com]

Joanna, amazingly, found herself sympathetic. Most women had been scorned by love.

"He was just pulled out? No warning?"

[ooc: AKF for a bit - sorry about sporadic pings!]

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"His dad called Saturday morning and he left that afternoon," Lana could feel herself getting teary again. "I'm sorry, you don't need to hear all this."


[OOC: No worries.]

[joanna-stayton.livejournal.com]

"How long had you two been together?" Joanna asked.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"A little over a year," Lana said.

[joanna-stayton.livejournal.com]

"Over a year and he just left without putting up a fight?" Joanna asked, her eyes narrowing.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"He tried," Lana said sadly. "But he's not 18 yet and his dad is a very powerful man."

[joanna-stayton.livejournal.com]

"Men are scum," Joanna responded, wondering if she should offer to have this boy's dad taken out. She had connections.

"Pretty girl like you, though, should have no problem moving on."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"I don't know if I want to," Lana said slowly. "All love does is hurt."

[joanna-stayton.livejournal.com]

"Trust me," Joanna said with a scowl. "Love does a lot more than just hurt."

She pointed to an entire shelf of the romance novels. "Not one of the books comes close to accurately portraying what love is or what it is capable of."

She turned towards Lana and said, "True love, no matter how powerful its father is, would find a way."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"He said he'd find me someday," Lana said quietly. "But we're not even from the same... universe."

[joanna-stayton.livejournal.com]

"Someday?" There was a hint of disdain in Joanna's voice. "So what's the plan till then? Hide yourself away and lament the one that ran away?"

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana hadn't thought she could feel much more miserable, but she'd been wrong. She swallowed hard, trying to remind herself that this was a customer and she needed to be polite. "I don't know what I'll do, yet."

[joanna-stayton.livejournal.com]

"I'll take all of these," Joanna indicated to the shelf of romance novels she had been looking through. "Do you all deliver?"

She gave Lana a long hard look. Joanna couldn't stand the idea that this girl was allowing the actions of a seemingly cowardly boy cause her so much pain.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Not generally," Lana admitted, "But I'm sure we could make an exception."

[joanna-stayton.livejournal.com]

"And throw in a couple mystery novels, your pick," she added.

"How much do I own you?"

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana chose 2 of her favorite mystery novels, then quickly rang up the total and told the woman what she owed. "When would you like them delivered?" she asked.

[joanna-stayton.livejournal.com]

"As soon as possible," Joanna stated. "It's 23 Griffin Way, the huge mansion, easy to find."

She turned to walk out but stopped. Looking back at Lana she said, "You know, it's pointless to dwell too long on the pain of a thing. You wrong no one but yourself if you don't pick up and move on."

Joanna was totally thinking of her worthless husband, Grant. She had thought that was love once.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana noted down the address. Once the woman had left she'd call Millie and the package would be at the mansion before the woman even got home.

"Thank you," she said to the woman. "I will try."