Job enquiry

"What is the age requirement to deliver drugs?"

Hmm. That sounded like a big question from such a little voice. Big question, indeed, and it was from behind the dispensary counter. A headful of curly blond with a pair of enthusiastic eyes. He was holding his cycling helmet to his chest, as if his fingers were pressing all nervousness on to it.

"12," said Bev and Tamara, our pharmacy assistant, almost in unison.

Then Bev added, "I think you still have got a long way to go,... what's your name?" and which I barely heard from my bench. I think I was deafened by the awe of it all. I have no recollection of sometime in my childhood, wanting to earn at such young age. Well, yeah, but we used Mom's capital on baking ingredients, so I guess, that was just break even or worse.

"I'm almost 12, and got a bike." Almost there, kiddo.

Now Bev explains that the position's filled with six boys taking turns during the week. (Hmm, I thought there were only four.) Anyway, just to keep his hopes up, "Say, come again in 4 months. That time one of the boys will be old enough to do the job, and if you come in at the right time, you just might get it."

"Ok. I'll see you in July." Turns around with his backpack almost touching the back of his knees.

Ok, he really didn't look his age, but brave. Very brave.

It looked like I wasn't the only one amazed by it. Somehow, it had lifted our stress for the day, and Bev was all asmiling. Isn't it fascinating?, she kept saying. Indeed.