living in a material world

 It was the last place Bentley ever expected to be right out of high school. Of course, looking back he was never a very good student so why would he be in college anyway. Yes, it was like a gift from above to work in a comic book store.

Yet, it was a very quiet world, too. He never saw a customer. But it was in the midst of a pandemic. Honestly, he didn't really have much to go on in customer service nor the business of comics. At least, he liked comics. And it was an awful world even before the virus came about. At least in his world.

"You don't look like one of those Cali boys," Liam practically winked with a smile. It was as if he showed up to make sure Bent wasn't asleep on the job.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Bent scowled as if being Liam's replacement wasn't that great. In spite of always having something to read or series to organize, it got pretty lonely around here. They both lived upstairs, just across the hall from each other, but they seldom talked. Liam was rather aloof, always going out to do something for Mannie.

"We had to leave because of the fires," Bent mentioned. "What about you? Are you Irish?"

"Irish?" Liam could be stoic yet a bit happy-go-lucky if no one was looking. "No," he chuckled. "Just adopted." But there was something a little Irish with the auburn hair and slightly pixie chin. He was rather agile too. 

Bent nodded and told him he'd always lived with his grandmother until he came here. She was living with her brother's son now.

Liam smiled back as if they might have something in common after all. Only, he said nothing of hanging out nor sharing a meal.

"Look, do we really sell comic books here?" It was hardly presentable. Nothing inviting about the old shop. It even smelled of old books. No one really knew what was here. "Maybe I could sell coffee."

"Oh, and bake some brownies too?" Liam exposed his clever smile again. It was Liam who did a good bit of cooking in the kitchen, slightly exposed to the store.

Bent shrugged as if it wasn't that bad of an idea.

"Look, kiddo, the good stuff is in the basement," Liam nodded as he picked up the Manga that Bent was thumbing through.

"The basement?" Bent gave way an impish grin. What could possibly be down there?

"Shh," Liam put his forefinger to his lips. "You, are better off not knowing." Liam's stoic stare only made Bent a little more nervous.

Bent looked at him wide-eyed. Was Mannie a drug dealer? Suddenly, Ben was overwhelmed with the idea of what he'd gotten himself into. He thought of the girl Mannie brought home. A shiver crept at the back of his neck.

Mannie broke through the dark curtain behind him and looked them both over as if they were up to no good. He tossed a strand of keys to Liam.

"Go check on her cat," he ordered. He gave them the address which was only a block or so away. "Lock up. It'll probably take both of you. Don't let that cat getaway."

They both nodded. Bent hoped this was only about a cat and nothing else.