It Was a Good Job

Who: Harper and Herbert
When: 2ish
Where: Nevermore (Where else)

Harper was in the stacks again, her last customer had been about ten minutes ago and she was back to organizing the store. She was now two-thirds of the way done with the book part. Her arm hurt less today- which was a good sign, although she kept telling herself that she needed to get back to the doctor to have him look at it after the mad window breaking she did on Friday. As she finished up another row she smiled a little, her mind wandering yet again to her dinner the previous night, and whether or not she should call Xander.

Work probably should have come before Geo, Herbert realized belatedly, as he was coasting up to the familiar bookstore. He stopped in front of it for a moment, looking up at the sign blankly, before sighing, locking his bicycle up at the usual spot, and heading inside. He was two hours early for his shift... and really, he ought to have called her earlier. He just wasn't thinking straight today. "Harper?" he called, when he didn't see her immediately, but knew from her scent that she was in the store somewhere.

Harper heard the bell and then Herbert's voice and stepped out from one of the rows. "Hey." She said, walking over to him. "What's wrong?" She hadn't seen anything to know that something was wrong ahead of time, but the look on his face said it all.

"I'm really, really sorry," Herbert started with earnestly, as if that might somehow soften the rest of it. "But I-- I have to go home. To Canada." He wasn't really very good at blurting out lots of information at once, not unless he somehow had a surfeit of energy-- which he definitely didn't have then, feeling rather slower than usual-- so he stopped there and waited for a reaction.

Her brow furrowed in concern as she walked over to where he was. "What happened?" Harper asked, wondering what brought on this sudden departure.

"My pa," Herbert said unhappily, looking at the floor. "I told you that he had cancer last year, but it was in remission... it came back." He looked back up, sad-faced. "He's in the hospital, went last night. My aunt called this morning-- I need to go home."

Harper pulled her arm around her waist as he spoke. "Oh gosh Herbert, I'm so sorry." She said softly. That was all she could think of saying, not being very good with this type of thing- or at least from this side of things.

The one good thing about all this, Herbert thought sadly, was he was at least getting plenty of hugs today. He put his arms around Harper's shoulders with a sigh. "I'm leaving tonight... I'm real sorry I couldn't give you more notice." Even notice earlier in the day... that one had been his bad, and he could admit that. His head just wasn't on right today.

"Hey, it's ok." She said, that was at least something she could do. "Family is everything." Harper hugged him back. "Don't worry about it, at least you're giving me more than five minutes notice like the -manager- before."

"I still should have called earlier," Herbert said apologetically, but he was glad she wasn't mad. "Will you be okay here by yourself tonight, and all? Has it been really busy?" The day before had been a bit busier than usual, but there was school today, so maybe it would be less....

Harper shook her head, to wave off her concerns. "I'll be fine, I've put in a double before and lived to tell about it." She told him with a smile. "Just go be with your dad."

"Thank you...." Herbert paused, then sheepishly added, "Arrrum, could I maybe get my last paycheck? Or at least get it mailed to my house, if it's not ready yet?" He hoped she could have it ready, though. That money could come in handy on the trip back north-- especially if he took the train. And maybe he could leave some for Olivia... though she might be angry with him, if he tried.

He was actually in luck, she processed the week earlier in the day (the work weeks going from Monday - Sunday) so she did have it ready. "I can call the bank and you can go pick it up." Harper offered.

Herbert perked up hopefully. "Oh, really? Oh, thank you, could you do that? If I could get it cashed before I leave, that would be... very helpful."

“Yea. It’ll be no problem.” Harper told him as she walked over to the counter. “Give me like five minutes.” After flipping through the phone book she finally located the bank number, lifted the phone and dialed it. “Hi, yes. My name is Harper Conroy, I’m calling from Nevermore Books and Sundries, I need to talk to someone about arranging for a check pick up.” Harper bobbed her head to the hold music as she waited for someone who could help her and about seven minutes later she’d arranged for Herbert to pick up his check.

Hanging up the phone she turned to him. “Just make sure you have your ID handy.

During his wait, Herbert had wandered the store a little, seeking out books he'd read and glancing over books he hadn't had a chance to read. While he wasn't really into reading much, most of the time, Nevermore's books were a little different. They were about things he really thought he ought to know, particularly about himself and his friends. How much of it was right he supposed was up for interpretation, but at the very least it had been something. He wished he'd wound up having more time here.

At the sound of the phone click Herbert shuffled back out where Harper could see him and smiled gratefully. "Thank you so much... that'll be a big help."

“I’m glad.” She said with a smile. “You did a good job here.” Harper told him, feeling the need to let him know she appreciated his work. “And I’ll miss ya.” He’d become more than a co-worker, she considered him a bit of a friend. After all he had saved her life, and listed to her when she was struggling with her abilities.

Herbert's face fell a little. "I'll miss you, too... and working here. it was a good job-- and you're a good boss." After all, she let him bring Elda when he needed to. How many bosses would do that? "Thank you for everything, Harper. I hope I can see you again, someday...."

She nodded, doing her best to keep her eyes from watering up and only barely succeeding as the wetness made her eyes waver slightly. "Of course. At the very least you have my number." Harper said with a small smile. "And you know the address right? So you can right... maybe send pictures of the duckling as she grows?"

"Definitely," Herbert promised with a firm nod. He'd have to make sure his pa or his aunt had a camera... that was two people now who wanted pictures. He glanced at his watch. "I should go... I have to pick up my check and feed Elda before I meet Sammy." To say his last goodbye. "Thank you so much, again... take care, okay? Try to keep safe. I'll write when I get home, promise."

She nodded. "Take care." Harper told him. "And safe trip." A selfish part of his mind was lost thinking about how she was going to last working alone at the store again and how long it would take her to find another employee as hard working as Herbert had been.

Herbert gave her a smile, and another quick hug, then he headed for the door. This was harder than even he'd imagined it to be... so many goodbyes. So little time.