Knowledge is the Key

Knowledge is the Key

Kathleen awoke to heavy foot steps headed her way. Her eyes were barely open; it was dark outside and she knew it was late. The book store she worked at was open twenty-four hours a day. Who comes to buy a book at 3 A.M. anyway? The footsteps grew nearer followed by angry grumbles. Kathleen examined herself. She was sitting on the floor with her back propped up against one of the old cherry wood bookshelves. They were magnificent looking things with detailed carvings on the end of every one. The lady who owned the store took pride in having old furniture and classic books. In fact half the store was filled with books no longer in print.
The heavy foot steps finally reached Kathleen and a large unfriendly face looked down upon her. It was Angie, her so called boss. Angie was the manager of the store. The owner was about eighty years old, and only came in the store to get book recommendations so that she could read at home in bed. The poor old woman was at most times very sickly and had to stay in bed, but just like Kathleen she took comfort in novels. The old woman left Angie in charge because she had been working at the store for years. Angie, however, was fat and lazy and only made others do her work. At this time of night she and Kathleen were the only two in the store; making Kathleen the underprivileged, hard working person that Angie could make do her bidding. “Lazy get the heck up. You think sitting on the ground sleeping is gunna do us any good?” Angie kicked Kathleen’s leg and then grumbled on, “I need some coke, the gas station down the road is open, get me some Coke-a-Cola, and a bag a Doritos.” Angie was demanding and expected everything when she wanted it. Knowing that, Kathleen did as she was told.
When Kathleen returned, Angie snatched the bag of food away from her with out anything but a grumble and walked off. Kathleen sat back down to read her book. Books gave her hope. They showed her that there is a reason to dream. The people in books know what they want and then they get it. They don’t sit around wondering when their life will get better. They fight for what they want and chase after it. Kathleen knew what she wanted. She wanted to own the book store. She loved the place dearly and wanted to own the old building. She wanted to come in every morning and smell the fresh smell of new books and the bitter-sweet smell of freshly brewed coffee from the coffee shop in the corner of the store.
Kathleen feared that at this point it looked like Angie was going to acquire the book store after the old woman died. The old woman had no children and her husband who is to own the book store when she dies said he would give it to the current manager. That poor old man would not keep the bookstore because he said that after the woman died it would be too sad for him to so much as step foot in it. If Angie owned the bookstore she would also own the building. Meaning she could do what ever she wanted with it. It was sad really. Angie made it clear to Kathleen when the store was hers she would “Turn it into something with more money in it. This old piece of crap book store makes no money.” The building used to be a library and the book shelves were the original ones used in it. Kathleen thought it a shame to change the building from its current state as a book store. Despite her strong thoughts there was nothing she could do about it. Things were how they were, Kathleen had to accept it.
One day at 5:45 Kathleen was dusting the top of the shelves in the ghost story section, they were too high to bee seen, but Kathleen knew that they would last longer if they were kept clean and dust free. Then as if out of no were an, older woman walked into the shop. She was wearing a white dress and had a shimmering glow around her body. The lady’s face was white and yet there was something angelic about her. When she walked it almost seemed as if she was floating on air. She was utterly beautiful yet there was something eerie about her. Kathleen had never seen her before and greeted her with a bright smile. “Welcome to Hemmingway Books,” Kathleen said, “My name is Kathleen let me know if I can recommend something or help you in any other way.” After that the woman walked over towards Kathleen and Kathleen said, “Ma’m do you need something?”
“Yes, can I um talk with you a moment?” The lady’s voice was guttural and her facial signs were hard to read. None the less Kathleen followed her to a table in coffee shop. “Do you wish to own this shop?” the lady asked staring directly into Kathleen’s eyes as if by doing so she could see right into Kathleen’s mind and read her thoughts, know her secrets and understand her dreams.
“I, well yes,” Kathleen responded. She had to look away because the old woman’s staring was making her uncomfortable.
“The woman who owns this store is on her death bed. I hate to be so negative, but she hasn’t long to live. If you really wish to own this store you will keep this and do not lose it. It is the key to what you wish.” with that the old woman handed Kathleen a necklace with a key on the chain. The key was made of gold and it was antique looking, on it were one red ruby and a message that read, “Knowledge is the Key”. Kathleen had no idea what this was and she felt bad taking it. Kathleen thought for sure the woman was crazy and had no idea what she was giving her, but before Kathleen could protest the woman had vanished.
Kathleen tucked the key in her pocket and headed out the door. Her shift was over she could go home. As she walked out of the door she took notice of the beautiful brass doorknobs. The building’s original doorknobs and locks had been left on along with some knew locks, but the owner of the store still had the original key. Kathleen froze in her tracks. She felt the key in her pocket. She slowly pulled it out and stuck it in the old lock, perfect fit. Kathleen turned the key and the door locked. Puzzled by what had transpired, she stumbled into her car and drove home.
The next morning a black ribbon was tied on the door to the store. Kathleen’s heart was beating heavily, her throat clogged up, and she could barley breath. She cautiously stepped out of the car. When she walked nearer to the store she noticed that there was a sign on the store that said “Closed due to respect for Eleanor Hemmingway who lost her battle with cancer yesterday evening at 5:30.” Kathleen walked in and saw that Angie and Mr. Hemmingway were in the store arguing Mr. Hemmingway’s eyes were still red and puffy. Angie’s eyes however were filled with rage. “This is my dang store and I intend to get what’s mine! I am the current manager and we had a deal!” Angie was screaming and yelling. Clearly Mr. Hemmingway would not give her the store and she was throwing a royal fit over it.
“I told you miss that you don’t have the key. She said she would take care to see that the lady who is to own the store has the key. You don’t even know what it said or looks like. Ms. Hemmingway wore that key up until well, the day she died!” Mr. Hemmingway remained Farley calm.
Before Angie could shoot something back Kathleen said, “Knowledge is the key.”
“Shut up Kathleen, this is not your fight. It’s not your place to say nothing,” Angie yelled at Kathleen.
“No, let the girl talk,” Mr. Hemmingway said with a look of hope in his eyes.
“Is this the key you are speaking of?” Kathleen held out the key, “A woman gave this to me, but she did not say her name.”
Mr. Hemmingway’s eyes light up and he happily said, “That’s it you’re the new owner. Mrs. Hemmingway must have wished for you to be the owner. Congratulations Ms. …”
Kathleen eyes filled with tears of glee, “just call me Kathleen. My full name is Kathleen Anderson.”
“Well congratulations Kathleen Anderson. You are the new owner of Hemmingway Books.” Kathleen clutched her key to her heart.
In the end, Angie was so angry she just left. She got out of that town and went to seek a cheap fortune in another. Kathleen however stayed. She took care of the store till her own death and fifteen minutes later, they key was in new hands.