A steady stream of people came in, and the phone rang off the hook. Dad even called in Charlie, his assistant manager, who normally had Saturdays off. The two of them handled the big things – instrument and equipment sales, guitar repairs, and so on. I manned the phones and took care of the smaller sales, like guitar strings, picks, and cables. Constant guitar riffs and chords filled the store, both acoustic and electric, as customers tried out instruments and amps they wanted to purchase. I figured as far as part time work went, I had it better than most high school kids, because I got to listen to live music. Every so often, Dad would look over at me and roll his eyes, all the while smiling like a big kid. He loved this business. Somehow, since coming here, he looked younger and the gray in his hair seemed less prominent. My parents were so happy here, and I had to admit, I was too. My happiness existed despite the crazy circumstances I’d found myself in, and because I was in them with Luke.
