The Record Store
There was a record store on Plymouth Street. It was a hole in the wall, you wouldn't notice it unless you were looking for it, and not many people knew about it, so I used it as my sacred place. A brick building with a sign just bright enough to illuminate the sidewalk when the sun disappeared. I would walk by it, and stare into the crystal clear windows. "I'm going to buy every vinyl record in that store" I told my mother one day. Every week, on Saturday, after all my chores were done I would drift over to Plymouth Street with just enough change in my pocket for 2 albums. "What have you discovered this week?" asked Adam, the senior boy who worked the cash register on the weekends. "Californication and Nevermind" I replied. While I was fishing a dollar, seven dimes, a nickel, and three pennies out of my faded jeans pocket I noticed a stack of brown cardboard boxes peeking out from the back room.
"Hey what are all those boxes for?"
"New shipment"
"More records?!"
"Better! But you'll have to wait till next week to see."
I then skipped out the door and down the cracked sidewalk to my house, clutching the records to my chest for fear they would get ruined on the way home. I sat on my bed and cautiously coaxed the record from its protective sleeve, showing it the world around me. I placed it on the turntable and lowered the needle onto the smooth surface. Sweet melody filled my room. I lay, enveloped in the beat. This is my getaway.
Sure enough, I was back at those shiny windows bright and early Saturday morning, the store had opened only minutes ago. But there wasn't a new display staring back at me; instead a neon yellow sign obscured most of my view. "Entire store 50% off. Everything must go!" it read. Pondering what that could be about, I walked inside to ask Adam. HIs goofy grin had been replaced by a look of melancholy. "Adam, what's going on?" I asked precariously, "Why is that sign on the window?"
"Store's going out of business" he replied.
"How did this happen?"
"Boss lost the entire store's money gambling with the same guys he got the money from to order that new shipment. But since he's in debt up to his knees he had to send the shipment back for a refund."
I just stood there until the words sunk in. After a moment of silence I drew myself towards the punk rock section and bought my two albums as usual. Without saying a word I placed my money on the counter and reached for the metal door handle, pushing my way out. As I started walking home I felt the first drop roll down my cheek, and began to run willing myself to hold back the waterworks until I collapsed on my bed.
The next Saturday I decided to follow routine and wander down to Plymouth Street. When I arrived at the store I didn't venture inside. Just checking in, I told myself. The neon yellow sign still shrouded most of my view, but I could tell that they had received some customers, for there were less tables and more empty space. Before anyone could notice me, I turned around and walked myself home. I did this the following Saturday as well, and found the same results.
It's been two weeks since I saw Adam outside of school, and tonight I'm going to see his band play in the park. During the show he spots me in the not so large crowd, and our eyes meet. Well, you can't escape the truth forever, I thought to myself. I've been avoiding him and Plymouth Street because I'm afraid to face the facts.
After the show he calls me "backstage"; which is really just behind a curtain that is behind the gazebo in the wide open park. Once I'm in view his eyes light up and his smile grows as wide as a banana. "Kaitlyn! I'm so glad you could make it. I have amazing news." I just offer a small smile and nod. "I think I found a way to save the store." I look up from the ground and meet his gaze, "Whatever you're planning it probably won't work. No one even knows it's there. Don't waste your time."
I had given up on the Record Store on Plymouth Street. I wasn't going to get my hopes up just to be disappointed like I had so many times before. It was time to move on. "Come here" he grabbed my arm and showed me towards the stage, "See all those people?" he asked. I nodded. "So they had to pay a fee in order to see us. Correct?" I nodded again. He stared at me until he saw the gleam in my eye, and the gears churning in my head. I glanced up, and realized both of us had the same goofy grin smeared across our faces. "There's some land behind the store, so I figured that the band could set up back there. Half of the money from tonight's show, and the gigs to come will fund the store. We can save the store, and attract more customers." My smile faltered for a moment, "What about the Boss?" He casually draped his arm around my shoulders, "You're 14 now, old enough to have a job. I'm 18 now, old enough to own a business. You with me?" "Have you talked to the manager about this? Are you sure the Boss will go for it?" "The Boss went to jail the other day for scamming people over internet poker, and the manager's business card is right here." he pulled a crumpled, smudged piece of paper out of his ripped jeans pocket. My face lit up like a Christmas tree as I realized that this was actually happening. "Race you to the pay phone" I challenged. He charged after me, towards the pay phone on the other side of the park. There was a little part inside of me the past two weeks, hoping that I had given up too early; that this wasn't the end. Hanging on a little longer paid off.