Rick stood in front of the small bookstore, feeling warmth. This place had been his grandmother Carol’s haven, a spot where he’d spent countless hours as a child.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Now, with her passing, the bookstore was his. Since high school, he’d rarely visited. His life was in another city, where he had a well-paying job and a girlfriend, Meredith, who had zero interest in moving to a small town. She’d been pushing him to sell the place, saying it was a burden he didn’t need.
With a deep breath, Rick pushed open the door. Dust coated every shelf, table, and chair. He looked around and sighed, knowing he had a long day of cleaning ahead.
He set down his bag, rolled up his sleeves, and got to work. Hours passed in silence as he wiped down shelves, swept the floor, and dusted off books.
