NightFall Read Online Free Page B

disaster strikes.”
    There was a slight static on the line,
then a man’s voice talking loudly. He had a Long Island accent and
sounded like he was driving. He wanted a tent.
    “ Yes sir, we have plenty
of tents. What size are you looking for?”
    “ A big one. Me and the
family are looking to do some camping on the Hudson this
weekend.”
    Rob looked around the
store, holding the phone to his ear. “Um.
Yes. We have two-to-four-person tents.”
    The conversation went on
and Rob made his first sale of the day. The man didn ’t seem concerned with
price, he just wanted it set aside for him for the weekend. He
thanked Rob and quickly got off the phone.
    Just as Rob went back to
his computer, Mr. Clayton, his landlord, walked in unexpectedly.
Seeing him first thing in the morning wasn’t a good sign.
    “ Mr. Clayton. Nice to see
you this morning.”
    Clayton turned to him and
tipped his ball cap. He was an older man, mid-fifties with tan
bronze skin and a slight paunch under his blue polo shirt, which he
wore tucked into his brown slacks. Rob hadn ’t seen him in over a month.
    “ Good morning, Rob. Sorry
for the intrusion,” Clayton said, approaching him.
    “ No problem. What brings
you here?” Rob said.
    Clayton walked closer and rested his
elbows on top of the glass display counter of hunting knives,
multi-tools, and Para cord bracelets.
    “ It’s such a nice day
outside, how about we take a quick walk?”
    Rob gave his landlord a
funny look. “You mind telling me what this
is about?”
    Clayton seemed
defensive. “Nothing in particular. I just
wanted to talk to you and get some fresh air at the same time. Is
that so wrong?”
    Rob narrowed his
eyes. “I’m trying to run a business here.
Can you just tell me what this is about?”
    “ Just a brief walk
outside. Please?” Clayton said. He then turned and glanced around.
“By the looks of it, I’d say you could spare about five
minutes.”
    Frustrated, Rob bit his
tongue. He wanted to tell Clayton to get the hell out of his store,
but he wasn’t up for a fight .
    “ Fine. Five minutes. And
that’s it.”
    He grabbed his keys and followed
Clayton outside a puffy could-filled blue sky awaited. He closed
the entrance door and locked it.
    They walked along the sidewalk, past
the bookstore and a mechanic shop, where sounds of drilling echoed
down the street. Clayton, it seemed, finally felt it appropriate to
reveal the nature of his visit after Rob asked him
again.
    “ I insisted on this walk
because I wanted to show you something, Rob. Look around you.”
Clayton paused. “This area is changing.”
    Rob scanned the streets. It was the
same thing he saw every day. Cars passing by. People walking by
store windows. Bicyclists. Dog walkers. A family out for a
stroll.
    “ You wouldn’t know it by
looking around, but it’s a shaky market out there now,” Clayton
said. He leaned in closer, almost in confidence. “Now you don’t
have to answer this, but I was just curious how business was
going.”
    Rob took a step
back . “Business is doing fine, thank
you.”
    Clayton continued. “I understand that, but you might want ask
yourself if this location serves your purposes anymore.”
    Rob crossed his
arms. “Why are you giving me business
advice? All you should be concerned about is if I make my rent on
time.” Rob stepped closer, nearing Clayton’s face. “In fact, if I
want to train pigeons in there all day, it’s none of your business
as long as I have your rent.”
    Clayton nodded. “I understand, Rob. Just hear me out for a second
here. What I’m saying is that property taxes are increasing. Damn
city council can’t seem to get enough revenue. You may want to
think about that.”
    Rob huffed and waited for Clayton to
get to the point.
    “ I’ve got an offer on the
rental space,” he revealed. “Twice what you’re paying. And I’m
afraid that when your lease is up in a few months, I’m gonna have
to go with it the offer, or ask you to