Part 7

August watched her exit the store with a mixture of relief and sadness. He felt relief that he wouldn't make a fool of himself anymore, and sadness with the realization that he'd probably never talk with her again. He had watched the gently sway of her loose ponytail as it swished from side to side. He had watched the gentle strides she took and with each step away it seemed to hammer home the fact that this chance encounter would not be repeated.

He had his hands in his hair again. But instead of the gentle combing motions, his fingers gripped at his hair roughly. It was if his hand was angry at him for fumbling through most of his exchange with Risa. If any part of his body would have been considered suave, it would have been his hands. Nearly a dozen years of studying and learning to play the piano ensured that.

"Who was that and why was she talking to you?" A loud voice beside him startled him. August realized he was still staring at the now closed front door. August quickly turned to his left so see his friend Elvis standing next to him with a huge smile on his face. Elvis had entered to store with two others, whom August didn't know, and had broken whatever spell that compelled Risa to stay and talk to him. August had to fight down the momentary desire to punch his friend for entering at such an inopportune time.

"I know she's not your girlfriend, that much is certain. I mean, you're August, as-in 'Mr. I-don't-won't-can't ever have a girlfriend'. At least not before good'ole Elvis here". He said while throwing up his two meaty thumbs to point back at himself. Elvis liked to tease August mercilessly, but it wasn't malicious. August gave him a half-hearted smile.

Elvis put his hands to his hips and gave August a studied look. Most people would agree that Elvis was not fat, but would rather use the word 'stout'. Elvis was a thick barrel chested man, but his girth was built more from consuming fast food as opposed to lifting weights. The only factor that was probably keeping Elvis from obesity was his highly active metabolism. Elvis's mother would warn him that his metabolism would someday fail him and that he should alter his diet accordingly. But, Elvis would just laugh and say "well I still have it now, so why waste it?"

Elvis sported a closely cropped sprout of red hair. He combed it straight and kept it short because at any decent length his hair would begin to curl like a frenzied weed. The longer his hair, the more it looked like Ronald McDonald's he would say. Also, an uncountable number of freckles always decorated his ever joyful face. Elvis was always cheerful.

He was also a certified genius. Only a couple years older than August he was already working his PhD in Physics at State. He was a genius, but the lazy kind of genius. Having already finished a Master's degree in Engineering, Elvis decided he wasn't ready to enter to working world to have to fend for himself and decided to go back to school. He even boasted that he would just become a career student. He joked that he wanted to set a world record for attaining the greatest number of Masters degrees and Doctorates.

To date, he was allowed to pursue his dream of this world record since he was able to attend the University on a full scholarship, everything from his books to his laboratory equipment to his apartment were all paid in full. Being a genius does have its benefits.

However, the one benefit being a genius that always seemed to be missing was the power to entice those of the fairer sex. In this case, Elvis suffered right along side the other smart - though not genius level - boys like August.

"That was Risa Pope". August said answering Elvis's question.

"Risa Pope. As-in Sonrisa Pope? As-in the girl who's brother disappeared?" Elvis had the annoying habit of saying "as-in" much too much. When reminded of this unfortunate trait Elvis would blush and vow to not let it happen again. This abstinence from using the phrase would usually last about 10 minutes. After a while his friends just stopped trying to prevent it.

August merely nodded. Everyone in town had seen the news, many even joined search parties. After a while the search parties turned into recovery teams looking for a corpse rather than a living boy.

The boy's disappearance was even bigger news to the patrons of Knights and The Page. They considered Caleb one of their own. A kindred spirit. A fellow brother in the clan of nerds and fellow citizen in the kingdom of dweebs.

"I guess she wanted to stop by and see the place," August added. "She wanted to see what Caleb liked to do. Poor girl, you can tell she's still pretty broken up about it."

"Well, you could be that shoulder to cry on," Elvis said enthusiastically.

"Don't be an ass Elvis. Don't even think like that!" August said harshly. He did not remain upset very long however as the same thought did cross his mind. "She doesn't need that right now", August continued more casually, "she just needs answers or closure or something."

Elvis shrugged his broad shoulders. He knew when not to press an issue and decided to change the subject.

"Oh, you haven't met my youngest brother Springfield yet." Elvis waved over to the two boys who were at the back of the store looking through some of the Japanese manga comic books. Elvis had been given that name because he was conceived near the gates of Graceland, or so his parents said. His parents were not really big Elvis Pressley fans, but they were fond of traveling across the country. And apparently, as evident of Elvis's seven younger siblings, his parents were also quite fond of each other.

The two younger boys approached from the back of the store and Elvis introduced them.

"August, this is my brother Springfield," Elvis said pointing to the taller of the two lads. August put them around 10 years old. He was never quite sure how old children were just by looking at them. August momentarily wondered where Springfield was conceived. Elvis had told him that about 70% of the states had a city named Springfield, so even if you excluded Alaska and Hawaii, that still left you with about 35 states to choose from.

Elvis continued, "and that is Joey, his friend from school. I told them I'd bring them down here so they could see what a real comic book shop was like." Springfield stretched out his young hand and August took it and gave him a firm hand shake. Joey followed suit, looking quite pleased with himself at accomplishing an adult task.

"You guys can take a look at anything. But, just please don't take anything out of its plastic baggy. If something is in a plastic bag its usually very expensive so please be careful," August wanted to sound stern but not too overbearing. He needn't worry because Elvis more than compensated.

"Don't touch anything!" Elvis yelled. He playfully pushed his brother aside. Earlier, Elvis had told himself that he wasn't going to push the subject, but his curiosity got the best of him and he couldn't help himself. He knew he had to ask as inconspicuously as possible.

"So, what did Miss Risa really come down here for?"

August turned back to look at the door. In his head he could still picture Risa talking with him, though she was smiling more in his memories. He wished the door bell would ring again triumphantly signaling her return, but there was only the murmurs of the two younger boys talking about a dragon figurine on the shelf.

"She wanted me to help her find her brother."