Edie entered the shop like usual through the back door. She placed her lunch in the small fridge and put her purse behind a box in the breakroom. Someone was here because the lights were on, so she proceeded into the store. She adjusted some items and, when she turned the corner, Shirley stood by the front door, watching the traffic outside.

"Good morning, Shirley. How are you today?" Edie really had to work at being pleasant to this woman who didn't seem to have anything positive to ...