Boyfriend

Nathan smiled and took the book out of his hands as if he was afraid when he told Todd no, he would make a run for the door.

“But I have money,” Todd said sadly as he let go. Determination soon took over. “I'll give you a thousand dollars.”

“It's worth at least thirty,” Nathan said putting the book back on the holder. He walked over to the counter and grabbed the glass box. When he turned around to place the box over the book he still half expected to see Todd running out the door with the book tucked under his arms. He laughed at the thought of giving the police a description of Todd and what he was wearing. At least they would have picked him up fairly quickly.

“Wow,” Todd said humbled. Watching his new infatuation being imprisoned once again behind a glass wall of tyranny he mulled over the price. “Don't think Martin would quite understand.”

“I also have the original leather dust jacket for it.”

Todd's eyes lit up, but then dulled again. “No, still would kill me,” he said putting his fingertips on the glass as if to say good-bye to a lover in jail. Pretending to cry he turned away in true soap opera fashion.

“I do apologize Mr. Jacobson,” Nathan said politely, as if reverting into a cold hearted store owner, and Todd a customer with not enough money.

Todd turned around in soap opera disgust and changed the subject. “Please ... just Todd. I am under no illusion that time ticks away sir, does not mean I can't ignore it.”

“Sorry, Todd,” Nathan said amused.

“Actually Mr...” Todd paused for a moment about to call Nathan, Mr. Caesar. He looked at Nathan for help.

“Just Nathan,” he kindly instructed.

“Of course, just Nathan, I was actually here because when you came into my store the other day and asked my Lily out on a date – without...

... middle of paper ...

...he bigger lady pushed her out of the way and grabbed Nathan by the shoulders.

“Come here you little bitch,” she said wrapping her massive arms around him. He squeezed her tight, but she squeezed him tighter, causing him to gasp for air. The heavy set woman lifted him off his feet with her hug and swayed him back and forth like a little girl would a teddy bear. Finally, letting him go he took in a long deep breath. “I really missed you fucker,” she said with almost tears in her eyes.

“I missed you too Mag's,” he said getting color back into his face.

Then the woman that he called Mag's who was so happy to see him tugged him forward and punched him in the stomach so hard that it lifted him off the ground. He landed on his feet, but then bent over instantly out of breath. Looking up at his assailant unable to breathe he was able to muster out a whimpering, “You bitch.”