The Trouble with Bliss

by Douglas Light

  Chapter 47

  “Ah, Mr. Charlies,” Mr. Charlies says, seeing Morris. He frowns. “Your eye, what happened?”

  It’s late, three in the morning. Mr. Charlies’ shop is empty, save for the overwhelming stench of stale spices and floor cleaner.

  “I’ve got a present for you,” Morris says, sniffing from allergies. He sets a grocery sack on the counter. It’s heavy, double bagged.

  “Oh no, Mr. Charlies,” Mr. Charlies says, suspiciously eyeing the bag. “No presents, no. Thank you and no.”

  “I feel I must, Mr. Charlies,” Morris says, shaking the bag. It jingles and rattles and sings. Morris emptied his large Mason jar of coins into the bag, dumped all the pennies and nickels and dimes, but not quarters. He kept the quarters.

  A look of terror hits Mr. Charlies’ face. He knows what it is and wants nothing of it. “Too kind, too kind,” he says, waving Morris off. “But no, no, no. No presents, Mr. Charlies.”

  Morris takes hold of the bottom of the bag, spills the coins over the counter. They spin and dance and pour onto the floor.

  “Oh no, oh no, no,” Mr. Charlies yells, like he’s witnessing the destruction of his home. The sight of the coins, of change, whips him into a rage. “No change, Mr. Charlies. I have no change.” He acts as though the coins are vinegar and he’s a pearl: any contact will cause corrosion. Grabbing a flyswatter, he frantically flips the coins off the counter, trying to get them away from him, trying not to touch them. They fling across the store. “Take them back, Mr. Charlies.”

  Morris shakes his head. “No,” he says, and turns to leave.

  “Take them back or you are outlawed here,” Mr. Charlies shouts at him.

  “Okay,” Morris says, waving goodbye. “I’m outlawed. Good luck,” he tells him, leaving.

  “Leave my store.” He comes from behind the counter, follows Morris.

  “I’m leaving.” He steps outside. The street is calm, few people out. The traffic’s thin.

  “Out of my store,” Mr. Charlies says, threatening him with the flyswatter.

  “I am out,” Morris says.

  “You no longer Mr. Charlies,” Mr. Charlies tells Morris. He swats him. “I take back your name. You have no name. Mr. Charlies is now Mr. Charlies, and Mr. Charlies says stay out of his store,” he says. “You are nothing. Mr. Nothing. You come and Mr. Charlies will call the cops.”

  A bright sense of accomplishment settles over Morris. He’s been barred from going where he never wants to go again.

  Chapter 48