© Copyright 2005 by Karen O'Leary

Bent over the kitchen counter, swirling his cold coffee, Kevin Ostland stared at the void. He was deep in a dark hole with no rescue in sight.

* * * * *

Fifteen years ago, he landed the job as manager of Caruso's Christian Books and Gifts. It was a dream come true, a way to meld work and his faith. That was shattered last month when his boss called him into the office. "Kevin, I've decided to retire." He grinned as he introduced him to the new owner, Craig Talbert.

Alarms should have gone off when he found boxes of children's books and adult classics in the storeroom a week later. "Make room for them," Mr. Talbert snapped then stalked out of the store puffing on a cigarette.

He returned from a four-day book fair the next week to Craig's Books and More.

Tears welled up in Assistant Manager Peggy Boyer's eyes. "We've had a few changes."

A large clearance table was set up in the hall just outside the door. Brent felt his color drain as he ran his fingers over some of his favorite titles. "When did this happen?"

"Right after you left. JoAnn and Tina put in their resignations. Talbert wouldn't even let them finish their shifts."

"Sorry you had to deal with all that." With his stomach in knots, he stepped into the store. Off to the right were some self-help books on dieting, exercising, makeup, etc.. Hollywood stars sported the covers, revealing their "secrets" for beauty, none focusing on the soul.

"Put the romances here," Mr. Talbert barked out near the middle of the store. "Hey you, take this bunch of crosses and other religious junk to the storeroom." A burly teenager Kevin had never met toted a large box.

"What's going on here?" Kevin asked loud enough for his boss to hear.

Craig W. Talbert gave a couple of orders then sauntered towards his manager. "Hi Kev, I see you're back. We've made a couple of adjustments to the store to broaden our customer base."

"Mr. Talbert, do you have a few minutes?"

Kevin led the way into his office and sat behind the desk. He motioned for his boss to take the chair in front. "I hear JoAnn and Tina are gone."

"You've got to get rid of the whiners and complainers. They quit. It's not my responsibility to keep them around."

Kevin swallowed. "It would have been nice if you would have discussed the changes with me first."

Craig Talbert leaned forward. "This is my store. What I say goes. If people don't like it, they're done. That includes you." He pushed the chair back so hard it hit the wall then stomped out.

Peggy walked in bearing two cups of coffee. "There's no reasoning with that man. He treats us like a bunch of idiots."

* * * * *

His wife, Debra, nudged him. "Come back to earth."

Kevin shook his head. "Sorry." He dumped his cold coffee in the sink.

"What's for breakfast?" eight-year-old Brent Ostland asked as he bounced around the kitchen.

His six-year-old sister, Carrie, climbed up on a stool by the counter. "Can we have pancakes?"

"Sounds good to me." Debra Ostland plucked a recipe for her grandmother's quick cakes out of an antique wooden box. "Just give me a few minutes."

Kevin scooped up his son and grabbed five plates. "Let's set the table."

As the two youngsters placed utensils and napkins at each place, their father washed up an assortment of fruit.

"Carrie, can you see if Mel's up?" her mother asked as she flipped the first two cakes. The little girl took off running.

Twelve-year-old Melanie dragged herself to the table as her family finished grace. With eyes half open, she sat then bowed her head for a silent prayer.

"Late night?" her father commented.

"I was up until eleven-thirty studying for that stupid math test. There's too many formulas to remember. I hope I don't get them all mixed up."

"Just say a prayer, and God will get you through it," her mother's smooth yet confident voice assured.

"You're smart. You'll do good," Carrie added with a smile.

Their father broke in, "I hate to cut this short, but the bus will be here in fifteen minutes. You better finish eating."

Kevin watched his children board the bus for St. Paul's Elementary and Holy Family Middle Schools. He felt blessed to be able to budget for their Christian based education.

"Penny for your thoughts," Debra wrapped her arms around him from behind.

"What will we do for tuition money if I lose my job?"

"God will provide. Why don't you sit down? I'll pour a couple cups of coffee. I've got an offer to share with you."

Debra placed a steaming mug in front of him. "St. Paul's morning kindergarten teacher's husband is getting transferred. The school called me yesterday to see if I would be interested in the position. Carrie is in school all day now. I would still have afternoons to keep up with things around here. I've prayed about this. I'd really like to get back into teaching and this is perfect. Kevin, I'm so excited."

"Sold." Her husband chuckled. "You act like I'd say no."

She blushed. "I didn't mean it that way. It just seems too good to be true. The bonus is we get a discount on the kids' tuition."

He tossed his hands up in the air. "I'm convinced. I'm convinced. Check it out. I'll support whatever you choose to do."

"I love you." Debra stood up, leaned across the table, then kissed him.

As they sipped coffee, Kevin slipped into the dark hole. "Dear God," he silently prayed, "please help me find the way." He opened his eyes.

"What's he done now?" his wife asked, concern etched on her face.

"It's what he's doing now that worries me. Every time I work a late shift, Talbert enacts his changes. I just hope no one else gets fired in the process. Peggy and I are the only originals left, and she's looking for a new position. The books he orders are getting more on the edge all the time. Most of our old customers bailed. What am a going to do?"

"Pray like you just did. Maybe the teaching position is part of the answer. We're going to get through this."

* * * * *

At 4:00 PM, Kevin migrated though the crowd at the bookstore's entrance. Peggy rushed over to him, eyes dancing with excitement. She grabbed his arm pulling him toward the former gift alcove. At a child's table, Craig Talbert sat holding a toddler with other children gathered around.

"He's reading a story," Kevin whispered. With shelves in primary colors and walls decorated with large cartoon decals, it looked like a child's play land. Two boys sat on a whale-shaped rug playing a hand held game. Other children milled around, looking at books. A woman cradled an armload of hard-covered volumes. "Can I help you with those?" Kevin asked.

"Thanks." She smiled. "They were getting a little heavy."

"I'll take them up to the check out counter. Just ask for them when you've finished shopping."

Peggy joined him. "He had a crew here at six this morning getting the place ready. Ads are running on the local radio stations and the mall has signs on every wing. We've had a hard time keeping the shelves stocked." She winked. "We sold almost all the children's Christian fiction stacked in your office."

A clown, making balloon shapes, stood in the hall just outside the door surrounded by youngsters and parents. He sang as he passed out his creations to excited children, many singing with him. "There's more fun inside the store," he touted between songs.

At 9:30 that evening, Kevin sat in his office checking over the tills' receipts. His boss peeked in. "What was the take?"

"Six thousand gross."

"That's what creative ideas can do," Craig Talbert gloated. "I bet it's a record for this place."

His manager nodded.

"Get that order off tonight and have them send it priority."

His boss left before Kevin could get any specifics. He would replace the inventory and hope for the best. Leaning back in his chair, he missed the late night discussions with his former boss. He was out of the loop, working in the dark.

Kevin booted up his computer. While the inventory was printing, he started some coffee. It would be a late night.

* * * * *

The next morning, Kevin unlocked the back door of the store an hour before opening. The light was on in his office. His heart hammered in his chest as he edged ahead, his briefcase in front for protection. His boss was leafing through a stack of papers on the desk. "What are you doing?"

Craig Talbert's eyes pierced him. "What did you do with the order confirmation?" his gruff voice snapped.

Kevin bristled, but calmly answered, "I'll get it and bring it into your office."

"Make it quick."

Dropping into his chair, the manager sighed. He unlocked his file cabinet and retrieved one of the two copies. "I'm turning into an errand boy."

His boss was on the phone. Kevin slid the paperwork on his desk then retreated.

Unable to concentrate on his sales report, he carried a box from the storeroom and began unpacking. On top were the latest political bestsellers. He carried them to the adult nonfiction section.

"What do you think you're doing?" Craig Talbert's voice roared from his office. "Ostland, get in here."

Kevin swallowed, then followed orders. "Is there a problem?"

"Is there a problem?" his boss mocked, his face turning red. "What did you order all this religious junk for?"

"I checked the sales receipts from yesterday. Half the income was from the religious sector. I didn't think we could risk losing that kind of volume.

"Oh."

Kevin left. He continued to restock shelves, hoping his order would arrive in an hour as promised. He wanted to get some of the Christian books on the shelves before his boss could veto the plan.

The supply truck rolled in on schedule. He had hired two part-timers to come in to help with the volume. The first box he opened was children's Christian fiction. "Jay, could you start with these?"

"Sure." The lanky teen hefted the box.

Customers trickled in throughout the morning. The secretary from Kevin's church called to order twenty-five bibles for a religious education class. He finished writing it up as the phone rang.

"Guess what!" His wife's keyed up voice soared in his ear.

He chuckled. "I could use some good news."

"St. Paul's called me in for an interview. I got the job! I start next week."

"Congratulations! You're going to do a wonderful job."

"Thanks," Debra Ostland replied. I better let you get back to work. We'll talk more later.

* * * * *

Kevin sent up a quick prayer of thanks as he waited for the red light to turn. Celebrating her third week as St. Paul's newest kindergarten teacher, Debra made a huge box of chocolate chip cookies. He had begged a couple of them from her for his lunch.

Recent changes at Craig's Books and More had been minor, none that compromised his ethics. Though sales were down some, Kevin hoped things would pick up after their new ad campaign.

As he pulled into the parking lot, Assistant Manager Peggy Boyer bolted out the back door of the store. She hesitated a moment to wave him off then ran to her car.

With a gnawing in his gut, Kevin picked up his briefcase. Two men lugging Mr. Talbert's desk greeted him at the open door. He stepped aside to let them pass.

Inside, bookshelves were pushed together and workers scrambled in all directions carrying boxes and supplies. "We're closed for remodeling," his blue jeans clad boss announced as they met.

"What's going on?"

"Get rid of your stuff. I'll meet you in your office in five."

Kevin's jaw dropped. His once orderly desk was covered with computer components and other equipment. Rooted in place, he stared ahead, seeing more than he wanted.

"I know it's a mess," Craig Talbert acknowledged, startling his manager.

Kevin turned to face his boss. "What happened to Peggy?"

"I had to fire her."

"Why?"

"She refused to go along with the adult's only room I have planned for my office."

"You can't be serious," spilled from Kevin's mouth.

"Business has been dropping off. We've got to get with the times."

"It's wrong." His manager straightened up. "I won't support this."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Craig Talbert replied in a hushed tone. "I hate to lose you, but my decision stands. I'll send a check for your time." He walked away.

Kevin's knees shook as he lowered himself into his old chair. A half-hour later, he walked out with a single box, leaving part of himself behind.

* * * * *

Six weeks later, Kevin sat at the table toying with an application from Barnes and Noble. A part-time position was open for a manager of the children's and religion section. At half of his former salary, he would have to find another job to supplement it.

The phone rang. "It's Peggy. I suppose you know about Talbert's closeout sale."

"Sure."

"How would you like to be partners?"

"What?"

"I checked things out. We can get a small business loan to open a family bookstore." Her excitement spilled over the phone as she explained the details. "I know you have to talk this over with Debra first, but I think it 's a great opportunity. I'll drop off the figures."

Kevin smiled as he hung up the phone. He bowed his head and thanked God.




HEY! and don't forget to e-mail Karen O'Leary if you have a comment!


gksm@cableone.net

Author's Note: Karen O'Leary is a Christian wife, mother, nurse, and freelance writer. She has published articles, short stories, and poetry in "Parables", "The Journal of Christian Nursing", "Smile", "Storyteller", "Art With Words" as well as others. She hopes her words will have a positive influence on others.





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