A Little Kindness in an Unlikely Place

A little kindness in an unlikely place.

An excerpt from Conscience and Cowards, Book I of the Too Much in the Sun Trilogy.

L brought the clothes to the counter, pleased with her finds.

“Those are some interesting choices for someone your age,” the lady at the register said. She was wearing a nametag with the name “Kathleen” on it. She was older, like someone’s grandma. She smiled at L.

“I’m a freak,” L said to Kathleen like she was sharing a secret. “That’s what someone told me at school yesterday.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Kathleen said. “I was a freak. Now I’m the weird old lady freak. I don’t miss school one bit, and you won’t either.”

L chuckled while taking a good look at Kathleen. She was rockin’ a long, green-and-yellow floral design blouse and a long skirt with yellow, green, and red stars on a background of white. Her socks were blue, and she had brown leather clogs on her feet. Really cool. How hadn’t L noticed this?

L decided she really liked this woman.

“I love your outfit.”

“Thank you.” Kathleen paused. “When people your age come in here, they’re ashamed,” Kathleen said. “They look really hard for trendy clothes. They want to blend in. But you don’t. I saw your eyes light up when you found that poodle skirt. No one but a weird girl would want a poodle skirt with crinoline.”

“Yeah, it’s awesome, isn’t it?” L said enthusiastically.

“What it needs are shoes,” Kathleen said.

“I was going to wear Chucks,” L said.

“Nonsense.”

Kathleen led her to the shoe section. She asked L what her size was and L told her.

“Hmm,” Kathleen said. She scanned the inventory. “How about those purple ones? They look like they were dyed for some ugly bridesmaid dress.” They had heels, but they were large and square. L put them on. They fit like they were made for her. Kathleen led her to a full-length mirror. L held the dress and blouse in front of her. The shoes clashed with the blouse perfectly. L fell in love.

L took the shoes off, slid her sneakers back on, and followed Kathleen back to the register.

The woman started ringing up L’s choices.

“That’s fifty-five dollars, dear,” Kathleen said. “Except the shoes. They’re free.”

L was startled. She’d forgotten to add up the prices, mesmerized by the poodle skirt.

“I only have thirty-two,” L said, disappointed. She really liked the other clothes she had picked. But if they had to go back, then they had to go back. She had to have the poodle skirt.

The woman looked at her. L could see she was thinking.

“We’re having a sale,” Kathleen said softly. “It just so happens that the discount is twenty-three dollars. I must have made a mistake. That’s thirty-two dollars, dear.”

L was overwhelmed with gratitude. She handed over her money.

“Thank you,” L said genuinely. “Thank you so much.”

Kathleen gently folded the clothes as best she could and put them in a large, generic plastic bag. She handed it to L.

“What’s your name, dear?” Kathleen asked.

“I go by ‘L,’” L said. “I hate my name.”

“’L’ it is,” Kathleen said without question.

“I have the feeling I’ll see you again,” Kathleen said.

“You bet I’ll be back,” L agreed with enthusiasm.

“Good luck,” said Kathleen.

— Jason A. Feingold

Read the opening on my website:
https://jasonafeingold.com/excerpts/conscience-and-cowards.html

Content note for the website excerpt: Bullying, strong language, and a brief reference to a gun at school.