At the end of the day, things could have been worse than this.
At the end of the day, is this really how he thought that it would go?
At the end of the day, he needed to stop saying, “At the end of the day.”
Roger didn’t see the need to be here, but when the blasted redhead talked, Elliott obeyed. That was getting old, and it was time old Rog told him how to handle a girl. Shavian was feisty and spirited, all things that are good in a woman, but you need to know when to rein in your filly. The best thing he could think to do was follow Higgins; he had some plan in mind, he was sure. You just have to learn how to get it out of the man one word at a time.
They were after “clothing” that was “durable” but was not “jeans.” Thank god.
He couldn’t think of any other qualifying questions and left the rest to surprise.
“You know…” Aubrey said, “everything he said could also mean he’s looking for lobsters.”
Roger looked back at Aubrey, and every time he did she smiled. In some ways Aubrey reminded him of a smaller Junie. A sweeter, less vapid, not psychotically insane Junie. “What would give you that idea, lassie?”
She giggled and curled her hair around her finger. “Well he’d said he was looking for something that would be protected, and good in water.”
He laughed and shook his head. “I’m wagering he was just looking for something best suited for the Northwest.” Might be she was a little more like Junie, only without the coffee obsession. Well at least she didn’t zone him out, always a bonus.
“Oh,” she said softly, but she didn’t look convinced.
It didn’t matter what they were thinking; Higgins stopped and pointed to a small store called “Work Whistle.” Inside there was contractor clothing, overalls and thick work boots. Higgins pointed at each person in turn. “Eight,” he said, then walked on down the darkened hallway, leaving the two of them.
Roger shook his head and called after him, “That’s all perfect and great, but what are you going to be doing?” he called after him.
“Water.”
“Then I guess it wasn’t lobsters?” Aubrey said.
Roger shrugged. “Now I’m starting to think he is after lobsters.” Roger gave a shrug and opened up the door, looking around. The place smelled like polished leather, the walls made with unfinished metal siding. The place had been picked over, but he was sure they could find enough to outfit the group with overalls and boots. “You know the only reason I’m doing this is to see Shavian cringe.”
“Everyone really likes picking on her, don’t they?” Aubrey said.
“Oh, well she’s been a little stuck up since the kidnapping.”
“Whose kidnapping?”
“Hers.”
“You kidnapped Shavian?” Aubrey said in alarm.
“Well, she got over it.” Roger started to dig through the shoes and Aubrey uncovered a small shopping cart they could use to pile it into.
“Oh-my-god, this has to be the cutest little cart I have ever seen!” she trying to find a way to wrap both of her small arms around it. It seemed that she was over it as well: easy going was a nice feature.
“What?” he said looking up.
“It’s almost me sized,” she said and giggled.
“What is ‘you’ Aubrey?” Roger said starting to stack the boxes of boots up, and then moved to find the ugliest plus size he could for Shavian.
“Me? What?” she smiled to him. Maybe she wasn’t like Junie after all, her smile was much prettier.
“What’s your story, how did you come to… umm know the Brewmaster?” Roger pushed through a pile of work pants trying to find the right pair.
“Oh, he and my father used to work together before he passed away. Now I work for Tedd to become a master brewer like my father.”
Roger tossed seven pairs of rugged pairs of corduroy work overalls, and the ugliest and largest pair of pants he could find. “The salmon beer?” He piled the boots on top turned to push the cart from the store when Aubrey got in the way, taking offense to him trying to push her cart.
“I was thinking something a little more conventional, a nice bold stout,” she said.
“Now that, lass, sounds like something worth living for. You will have to let me try your beer.”
Aubrey blushed deeply. “S-sure, if you’d like.”