The Package Counter Guy. [Alternative Ending]

The Package Counter Guy

By: Abba Marie Moreno

 

I’m Richard Nerrick, 20 years old, fresh out of college and I have a position in Counter Packaging. Okay, it’s not really a profession but be free to call me the Package Counter Guy. Feels pretty good to hear.

 

I just finished my Computer Science course and I bet my salary that you’re wondering why I’m in a Package counter here in a grocery store. Well, I do need money to spend when I go looking for a job. I’ve been at it for 2 months and I guess that’ll be enough for a few weeks of job hunting or so.

 

Let me tell you about my day at the Package Counter. Well it isn’t really that bad. I get to see people. What they do. What they look like. All sorts of people and sometimes I just stop to think how great God is to create all of us in such wide varieties. Yeah, it’s fun to look at the people but what’s funnier is what they check in. A few days ago, I saw this bald guy check in a lot of wigs. I mean a lot, I was like: “Man, how many nightclubs do you get into?” But of course that was in my head, I couldn’t really say that out loud can I?

 

There are a lot of people today at the supermarket. It’s a Sunday after all- lots of kids and kidlike adults. Mrs. Cobblesworth did her shopping today. She did it every Sunday and she’d greet me every time. She reminds me a lot of my deceased grandmother. How she smiles and how she’s so kind to everybody. But sometimes I think all old people are the same- kind and aged with experience. Also, there was this kid I saw today. Her mother left her for a few minutes to buy something quick and she had asked me to look after the little girl who seemed to be about five years of age. She was holding this red balloon, I was staring at it and she glared at me at the most evil way; thinking I would snag the balloon. My thoughts were: “How old do you think I am, six?” and I glared back. After a few moments, I found both of us giggling. Her mother came, that five-year-old girl waved goodbye. Well, I guess I won’t be seeing her. In this profession of mine, people come and go. That’s how life’s meant to be anyway.

 

Anyway, in the supermarket today, there was this shady guy. He looked like he was in a panic. He was wearing a black coat and a cap. I was thinking that he might be hiding from the police or something but then I always had that weird imagination. He left this box and went inside the supermarket. As little as I do, I gave this guy a smile. Maybe to ease the tension or maybe just he looked like he needed it. He looked at me for a second and said, “I’m so sorry.” Okay… that was super weird. I had this moment to appreciate how weird that was and to post in my mind a small memo that I would never smile at people like that anymore. So far, today was cool. I liked encounters like those of the kid and the weird guy. Things like that are things that would be nice to recall.  

 

And then, I saw her. She was wearing this white nursing uniform. Her name plate read: Darcy, Lisa. Lisa, what a nice name. She was so pretty—flawless skin, pinned up blonde hair and deep green eyes. What a knock-out. She was checking in the things she shopped for earlier and behind this angel of woman was this troll. Okay, it wasn’t really a troll. It was this tall guy who had wild hair and an evil grin. But this troll was holding Lisa’s hand. I don’t mind becoming a troll if I could just hold that hand of hers. Sigh. She was this type of girl that you were so hopeless in that the next time you might see her is the afterlife. She smiled at me and the couple went in the grocery together. I wish I had a girl like that.

 

The hours passed by quickly. I feel tired. Life's been all good ya know but... i'm getting pretty bored. I want action. Pfft. Like i'll get some in this joint.

 

“Ric? Could you lock up early for me?” Manager said to me.

 

“Uhm. Sir, I can’t today, I… I’ve got to meet someone today.” I lied. Well I didn’t feel like locking up today.

 

“Yea? Okay okay. Say, you can get going now.” He said to me.

 

“Thanks. See ya.” I hollered back while getting my things and scurrying to the door.

 

The evening is young and the cold air is finally setting in. It’s such a wonderful night. I should get a drink or so. Screw church. There’s always next Sunday.

 

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The Manager dialed a number on his cellphone. Number 2 on his speed dial.

 

“Hey, Sarah? Could you meet me in the store? I cant pick you up today.” He spoke in a hushed voice. He fixed things and tidied up; waiting for his wife. He pressed keys on his phone, the door opened. A pregnant woman came in—Sarah.

 

 

Another one Mac. I never knew why alcohol tasted so great. *vibration*

 

 

Sarah smiled so sweetly. The manager was feeling her tummy. Something small and warm inside seemed to move. Life. “I gave this thing Life.” That’s what he thought.

 

Beep. Beep. Beep. There was something beeping. It wasn’t a phone or the store clock. Beep. Beep. Beep. Sarah asked me where the sound was coming from, I should check it out. It was coming from the box. Maybe it was an alarm clock, I better turn it off.

BOOM.

 

It was a bomb.

 

 

 

*Hiccup* Finally out of the bar. *ring* There’s a poster  on that wall.

NOOOOTTTOOORIUUUSS GAANNGG

USSEESS IIIMPPRROOVVVISSEDD BOOMBSSS.

Tsk. Hey there’s a picture of the gang leader. He must be a real wuss.

 

DAMN.

 

He’s the guy I saw at the store today. Manager waaasss there tooo tooto loocckk upp. I ran. My legs seemed to take me to the store in light speed. Left. Right. One more turn.

 

The sound of police sirens and ambulances assured me.

Two corpses covered by a black cloth. I came near to see who the other person was. It was Sarah and if my memory is correct, which I hope not to be, she’s pregnant. SHE’S PREGNANT.

 

I LIED. THEY DIED BECAUSE I LIED. I fell to my knees-looked up at the flaming building that’s slowly falling into rubble. Ow. What’s this in my pocket… My phone. A message. Who could be texting me right now.

 

 

From: Manager

 

Hope you have a good night. Hey. Since you’re a nice kid and all. Sarah and I wanted to name our kid after ya. Sound good?

 

 

 

 

This is an alternate ending to the story The Package Counter Guy. Dedicated to Rozelle and Regine Carlos. J happy birthday! Maybe most of you felt sorry for the first ending, but isn’t this sadder? Even though he was able to live? We are all given a choice. A choice to do good or do bad. To do good is a rough way into Paradise but to do the latter is an easy way to Hell.