FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 9

Spec leaned against the check out counter keeping an eye out for customers. He turned his head to look at the back, watching for Cindy. His heart was racing as he put together what he was going to tell her in his head. It wasn't long before she returned smacking some dust off her shirt.

"You should dust your storage rooms more often. I lost track of how many times I sneezed moving boxes."

She paused when she realized he was looking at her with an odd look.

"What's wrong?"

"Well Zenia just called to tell me your robe will be ready tomorrow."

"That's great! Can I pick it up during lunch?"

"You don't need to; she'll be dropping it off after she gets off work..."

"Spec, what's wrong?"

He scratched the back of his head looking down and sighed. He looked around to make sure the shop was empty.

"We need to talk about the payment."

**********

Cindy sat quietly as she listened to what Spec had to say. She lowered her head, hands in her lap as she sat on the stool behind the check out counter.

"So you are sure that is what she wants from you?"

"I'm pretty sure. Even though the dollar amount will most likely be paid for she will want me to do something extra."

"Do you want to do it though?"

Spec paused, looking away as he was unsure how to answer. He looked back up to meet her eyes staring back at him.

"I don't want you to lie or tell me what you think I want to hear. Just tell me if you want to or not."

He opens his mouth slightly but remains silent. He bites his lower lip and swallows looking her directly in her bright green eyes.

"Yes, I do. She is an old friend and I agreed to. I also promised I'd get you a robe and I don't want to go back on my word."

She nodded and looked away. Swaying her legs back and forth as she rocked on the stool

"I want to be there when you pay her."

He jerked his head to stare at her so fast small cracking sounds could be heard.

"You want to be there?"

She nodded as she stood up and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"I can tell you were being honest with me. I can also tell it was tough for you to be honest. Besides, with me there she might change her mind about what she wants from you."

He returned the hug but turned his head while wincing.

"Considering the things she and I have done, with Luna no less, I doubt it. But if it makes you feel better you can stay."

"Thank you."

She leans forward to give him a quick kiss before letting go of him. There was still more work to be done as it was not yet closing time.

**********

Closing time came and both were ready for it. While not a long day, the lack of activity proved just as tiring. Both went upstairs to their waiting meal slow cooking in the crock pot Cindy prepared earlier. Spec checked on the roast as Cindy flopped down on the couch flexing her toes.

"Well at least I got a lot of boxes moved today. If it is slow tomorrow I think I want to use the elevator to move some stuff from the basement."

"We'll see. Things tend to pick up towards the middle of the week. Which reminds me, I need to put the help wanted sign up again so we can have some extra help for the front. How do you feel about training a new person?"

He lifted the lid of the crock pot as the aroma of beef and veggies filled the kitchen. She leaned her head back as she waved her feet back and forth on the coffee table.

"I think I can handle it. But wouldn't you rather do the training?"

"I would but just in case you know? I can't always be up front. It would be ideal if my assistant manager knew how to train people."

"That makes sense. Wait, what do you mean assistant manager?"

As she looked back she saw that he was now standing behind her. He had a set of keys in his hand that he lowered to her.

"I mean you got promoted. Here are a set of keys for the shop so you don't have to wait for me to let you in or lock up for you all the time."

She was speechless as she looked over the key ring noticing there were two extra keys that didn't belong to the shop or storage rooms. It took her a minute to realize that the one of the extra keys was to the apartment door.

"Wait, when did you get these made?"

"I had Jon make copies. That's why he left earlier. Well that and he wanted a snack or something."

"I think Jon may have copied your apartment keys by mistake."

"No, I told him to make copies of those."

She turned to him as he pulled a couple of plates from the cabinets.

"Well I mean you may need to get something from up here too. Better safe then sorry right?"

"You sure you aren't worried about me coming in unannounced?"

"I doubt that will be an issue. Besides after tomorrow night it's not like I have much to hide from you."

She smiled at him as she pocketed her new set of keys. He came to the couch with their piping hot dinner of pot roast, potatoes, and carrots. They enjoyed their dinner quietly before she headed home for the night. Spec cleaned up the kitchen and straightened the apartment a bit before washing up and getting some rest. As he fell asleep the thought of what would happen tomorrow lingered in his mind.

**********

The work day started out with Spec stocking the new magazines. He turned when he heard the front door unlocking. Cindy entered using her new keys. She said "Morning Spec." as she passed him waving. She had the same backpack she had when she spent the weekend over.

"Planning something sexy lady?"

She looked back grinning as she headed upstairs to store her belongings. She returns shortly ready to work with her name tag hanging over her bright purple shirt.

"Well there is no point in going home tonight."

She kissed him on the lips running her hand across his cheek.

"Besides, I have a feeling we are going to have fun tonight."

Spec almost forgot about later that night. He was both relieved and worried after telling Cindy about the payment. But now he was worried how Zenia would react when she saw that Cindy was going to be present.

"So, what should we do for dinner then? I mean I don't know if Zenia will be joining us. She doesn't even know you will be here tonight."

"Well we can cross that bridge when we get to it."

"Cross what bridge?"

Both turn to see Jon walking in with a pink box wearing only a black tee shirt for a top. Spec groaned at the thought of dealing with Jon today on top of everything else.

"Okay I have two questions. One, why are you here so damn early? Two, why are you only wearing a tee shirt when it's so damn cold outside?"

"Well one, I have the day off and the wife is taking the kids to see her family. And second, it's not that cold outside. Hey Cindy, how's it going?"

"I'm alright, thanks for asking."

Jon walked to his usual spot behind the counter as Spec rubbed his temples.

"Jon, I have a full plate of crap to deal with today I don't need you here messing"

"I brought donuts."

He offered up the pink box he was holding as Cindy opened it, taking out a glazed one.

"That is thoughtful Jon but I really don't"

"I have jelly donuts."

He paused at the mention of jelly raising his eye brow, interest peaked.

"What flavor?"

"Raspberry and lemon filled."

Spec's tail started wagging as he reached in pulling one out.

"Okay you can stay. Just don't bother the customers. For some reason people still think you work here."

"Well it doesn't help I sit behind the counter so much."

"As often as you are here I'm surprised Spec hasn't given you a job yet."

Spec held up his hand, speaking with a full mouth.

"Please, don't give him any ideas. We can only take each other in small doses."

"Come on, you love me Spec."

Jon laughed as Spec waved him off going to turn on the "OPEN" sign. He hated to admit it, but John was what he needed to get his mind off tonight.

"Hey Spec, did you get any new comics in that I might like?"

"Not yet, but I saw something coming in next week you might like. I'll set aside a copy for you."

"Thanks man."

**********

New magazine day was busy as expected. A steady flow of customers kept Spec and Cindy moving back and forth between the register and the floor, switching so one person wouldn't be stuck doing one thing continuously. When lunch time came around there was a short break in customers which gave the three of them time to chat.

"Okay so what do we want to have for lunch?"

"Well I think we should decide what to do for dinner first."

"Well I'm up for anything as far as lunch goes."

"You're a real help Jon."

"Thank you."

Spec shook his head as he turned to Cindy.

"Well how about pizza for dinner since we don't know what we are doing exactly?"

"Pizza sounds good for dinner Spec. How about Burrito Chime for lunch?"

"I'm up for Burrito Chime, how about you Jon?"

"I'm picking it up aren't I?"

Both Cindy and Spec nod as they write down what they want. Jon sighs and stands up.

"Well I assume you are paying since I'm picking up."

"Yeah I'll pay."

Spec reached for his wallet and list of what they wanted.

"Don't forget to get a handful of each sauce."

"Yeah, yeah, I'll get you your freakin sauce. I'll be back in 20 minutes, give or take."

Spec grinned as Jon left. Cindy saw this.

"What are you smiling about mister?"

"Well Cindy, remember how you said Jon knows how to push my buttons?"

She nodded as she rested her elbows on the check out counter.

"Well it goes both ways. For some reason he hates it when I remind him to get extra sauce. The problem is he never brings back enough. I mean does he really expect me to use just one packet per taco?"

She finds that last line hilarious for some reason as she starts laughing. She quickly composes herself as a customer comes up to check out.

**********

When Jon returned with the food Spec and Cindy took turns eating in the back break room. Spec decided to stay up front and let Cindy eat first. After separating the food Jon took a couple of chips from Spec's Nacho plate.

"Don't you think he will notice that some of them are missing?"

Jon ate them and took a sip of his drink before unwrapping one of his tacos.

"I don't care. I mean what's he going to do to me?"

She shrugged as she started on her burrito. There was a moment of silence when a thought crossed her mind.

"Hey Jon, do you know anything about Zenia?"

Jon looked confused as he lifted his head after taking a bite out of his taco spilling some of its content out the back side of his shell.

"You mean Spec's friend? I don't think I've ever actually met her. Luna's mentioned her a couple of times but I've never talked to them about her."

"Oh, I see."

She took another bite of her burrito and had a sip from her drink before speaking again.

"So how do you know Spec? You guys never mentioned how you both met."

"We met in the Navy."

Cindy was surprised to learn this as Jon bent his neck again to take another bite.

"Wait, Spec was in the Navy?"

"Yeah, we both were. We were engineers together. We happen to meet one day and start up a conversation. The rest is history."

She put her food down processing what she just heard.

"How long ago was this? When you first met I mean? It seems like you two have known each other forever."

"Well..."

He paused moving his finger in the air as if counting.

"I'd say about five years going on six."

"That is a bit of time but you two almost seems like you could be brothers."

"Well we did go though a lot together. Especially when you are stuck on a ship with people for so long, you develop some strong friends. Or you annoy the hell out of people."

"It seems like both in your case."

Jon laughs loudly as he bangs the table with his fist.

"Well that's true. But that's why Spec is my daughters' god father. He really did help me out a lot. If he didn't help me out that one time, my wife and I would have been in some serious trouble."

"What happened?"

"Well, some sudden expenses came up and I couldn't make rent. He loaned me what I needed. I couldn't pay him back right away so I thanked him by asking if he wanted to be the godfather of my daughter. He said yes and told me not to worry about paying him back. He said to consider the loan a first birthday present to her."

She was in awe at what she heard. She didn't know what to make of it as she picked up her burrito again for another bite.

"He never mentioned any of that to me."

"That's odd. Well, not really. He is proud of what he did in the military but he doesn't care to broadcast it to everyone. He likes to keep to himself especially with his personal life."

The two finished their food quickly so Spec could have his turn to eat. Before taking over Cindy walked up to Spec, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

"What was that for?"

"Cause you are a good man Spec. And because I wanted to."

He smiled at the compliment. He wanted to say something but was too caught in the moment to respond.

"Get a room you two."

Jon scoffed jokingly at the two as he went back to his comic. Spec simply ignored him and walked to the back. He was expecting his nachos to be a bit soggy from sitting but he didn't mind. No sooner did he open the lid to his food that he turned around walking straight to the counter towards Jon. He saw Spec coming as he quickly closed his book and rushed around the counter.

"Well it's been fun Cindy but I have to go. Later buddy!"

Jon waved as he ran to exit the store.

"Yeah you better run Jon! I know you ate some of my nachos!"

Cindy held her balled up hand to her mouth trying to muffle her laughter as she watched Spec fuming. As he went back to the break room she only thought to herself,

"They really are close friends."