Crossroads Convenience

Part 30 – Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

Lucy Lucy stared down at the steam billowing from her coffee. She’d retired to The Bubble and Squeak after Tom left her at the bookstore. It was always quiet, smelled more of dark chocolate than dark roast, and perpetually in off-season mode, unlike similar coffee shops in Hermit’s Rest. Its roughly 90s interior, faded pastelsContinue reading “Part 30 – Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover”

Part 29 – It’s More Than You Think

Tom The chilly morning breeze rolled over Tom as he bummed around Main Street in Blackstone. It would be summer soon, and he’d have to avoid this place like the plague. He was too old to seem cool if he ran into any teens who knew him, and too young to get any respect fromContinue reading “Part 29 – It’s More Than You Think”

Part 28 – Cameras Never Lie

Bradley When Sophie arrived, accompanied by the early morning light, Bradley was waiting for her at the door. He’d been there for hours, getting the footage ready and doing his best not to alarm Tom. Tom had always been nosy, but he was on fire lately. He’d tell the little shit off, but it wasContinue reading “Part 28 – Cameras Never Lie”

Part 27 – It Will Never Be Clean Again

Daisy It was a good day for the Pizza Stack. Lots of orders spread out almost evenly over the afternoon. Pleasant customers that arrived on time, many of which even tipped, Daisy was her the zone. She felt like she did in her forties, maybe even her thirties. As a bonus, the convenience store hadn’tContinue reading “Part 27 – It Will Never Be Clean Again”

Part 25 – A Zero-Sum Game

Tom Tom rested both his hands against the oddly sticky counter and leaned forward into a deep lunge. It was going to be a long night; he’d woken up stiff and tired, and no amount of stretching was limbering up those tense muscles. Something about the turning seasons always did this to him. Spring amblingContinue reading “Part 25 – A Zero-Sum Game”

Part 24 – The Hitchhiker

Jon The long nights weren’t the worst of it. Work had never been an issue for Jon. He was raised hard and hearty by parents who meant well but pushed him. It wasn’t the poor pay or the disrespect either. Neither of those means much to a man nearing the end of his rope. No,Continue reading “Part 24 – The Hitchhiker”

Part 23 – Burning the Evidence

??? It was almost a shame. The car was in perfect condition. It drove well. It cut a fine figure, even in the low light of the morning. Hell. it had fewer miles on it than his did, and the back seat looked far more comfy that what he was used to. He looked inContinue reading “Part 23 – Burning the Evidence”

Part 20 – Singing to the Moon

Peter After leaving the convenience store, Peter made his way to the car. The new attendant seemed like a good kid. She clearly didn’t know anything about music, but she had humored him. Most people didn’t humor him. They usually tried their best to get him to shut up. Get him to stay on track.Continue reading “Part 20 – Singing to the Moon”

Part 18 – All Red

Kat Tomato sauce splashed as a ladleful fell onto a pale crust. She spread it, suddenly reminded of her own face, and how red it must have been. Kat tried to focus on the task at hand. She had an order of four medium pizzas to get into the large industrial oven, so she didn’tContinue reading “Part 18 – All Red”

Part 17 – Further Education

Just my luck. First, I stub my toe. Now, I have to babysit the new girl. Lucy watched as Kat strode in through the front doors of the convenience store, her blonde hair fluttering almost in slow motion as it caught a beam of sunlight. It was as if some sick god wanted to captureContinue reading “Part 17 – Further Education”