“Not at the moment. I’m too busy helping other people find their love stories.” I hold up the book, expecting her to blanch at the cover image of two young men wrapped in an embrace, but she doesn’t.

“Is that a good one?” she asks.

“It’s excellent,” I say, holding it out for her to take.

She accepts it, turning it over. I wait for her cheeks to burn bright as she reads the back copy about the lovers, two young men from families who didn’t accept them for who they are, who ran away and found family in each other. To her credit, she doesn’t.

“This does look good,” she says. “I think I’ll get it.”

“It’s on the house,” I say, ignoring the way Cinderella’s jaw drops. Last week, after another “barter” incident, I laid down the law: no more trades or freebies. I’ll run my credit card for this later; the thought of Mrs. Palmer reading that book is worth far more than $17.99 plus tax.

“Thank you.” Her eyes well with tears, and I know she’s trying to find the right words to make a graceful exit.

“It was good to see you, Mrs. Palmer. Brenda.” I give her a hug, aware of how strange it is to be looking down at this woman I used to look up to. “Please don’t be a stranger.”

She gives my arm a loving tap before turning to go, and I wonder what she’ll find if she comes back in another decade. If I’ll still be here, managing whatever this store becomes. Or if she’ll find Josie behind the counter, the LGBTQ romance section confined to a tiny back corner.

If there is one at all.

How can anyone stand this place?

The memory of what Josie said turns my sorrow into a rallying cry, a reminder that it’s not just myself and my staff I’m fighting for. It’s for the girls and guys and gays and theys who deserve the support and solidarity my best friend never got.

I couldn’t save him, but I can save this place for them.

9

Josie

“I honestly despise him,” I say to my sister. “It’s more than a superficial dislike. It’s loathing. Disgust. Like, on a soul-deep level.”

“I don’t blame you,” she says. “Especially after how he treated you.”