Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 78732 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78732 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
I finish putting the rest of the dry and boxed food in the pantry before heading to my room. I just don't have the energy to go out and explore Vegas tonight. First day in town and I'm already too annoyed to have a little fun.
Chapter 6
Kaylee
"You look tired, sweetheart. Are you not getting enough sleep?"
I can't help the slow blink of my eyes as I look at the woman. What is it about the elderly that makes them think they can say whatever comes to mind, no matter the situation?
Maybe it's one of the benefits of growing old, but I just can't see telling a stranger they look bad or asking them about their life.
"We've been busy today," I lie.
My exhaustion has more to do with the lack of activity today and my double shift yesterday than anything else. I wouldn't be tired if I had something to focus on, but it's either feast or famine around here. Yesterday was chaos, and I should've gone to bed and right to sleep easily, but my mind raced with that warehouse district and those women disappearing behind that heavy door.
"Would you like to add some Halloween candy today?"
"No thank you, dear. I have diabetes and dentures. You're lucky you're so young."
I give her a faint smile, hating that it's the best I can manage.
I give her the total and wait for her to write out a check, another thing that makes this grocery store different from most others. As much as Mr. Gillis complains about bounced checks and fraudulent copies, he hasn't stopped allowing people to use them, afraid he'll alienate customers who aren't part of the digital age.
"We take debit cards as well," I say, noticing the card in her wallet.
She waves her hand as if dismissing the idea completely before continuing to write the information on the check.
I compare the name and address on the check with the driver's license she presents and complete the transaction.
"Have a great rest of your day and thank you for shopping at Main Street Grocery."
She worries about getting her wallet back into her huge purse before pushing her cart away.
"Have a good day, dear. Do try to get some sleep. You'll never find a man if you get wrinkles."
I'm left staring after her, mouth slightly open, dumbfounded at her ease of saying such things.
"She's a feisty one," Rachel says as she approaches.
"She's hateful," I mutter before turning to my coworker. "How is Ginny?"
"Strep," Rachel says with a frown. "And a double ear infection."
I take a step back. I'm not exactly a germaphobe, but I don't want to get sick.
Rachel notices, laughing and rolling her eyes. "Kids are nothing but a bag of germs."
"You didn't need to stay home with her again?" I ask, although I'm grateful she's here for her shift because I just don't have it in me to work another double shift today.
"She's with my mom," she explains. "She came home early from her vacation to watch her so I didn't have to miss another shift."
"Vacation," I muse with a smile. "I wonder what that's like."
She huffs. "Seriously, but I wouldn't call chasing after a boyfriend who took off to California a vacation. Those are Mom's words, not mine."
"Well, hopefully, Ginny feels better soon. I'm going to finish breaking down that canned good display and then I'm off."
Rachel scrunched her nose. "Didn't Mr. Gillis just have you build that the other day?"
"Yep," I say, trying my best not to sound frustrated.
This isn't my business, and no matter how differently I'd do things if it were, I'm not the one who gets to make decisions about it.
"He said it looks weird now that people are buying the items," I explain.
"So you'll break it down and put the products back in the storage room where no one can buy or see them except for their tiny slot on the shelves?"
I pull in a deep, frustrated breath. "Exactly."
"Why not just reconfigure it to accommodate the lower product count?"
"That's a great idea," I tell her with no enthusiasm. "Let me know what he says when you suggest it."
Laughter bubbles out of her throat as she shakes her head. "Not a chance. I need this job."
"Same," I quickly agree. "Have a good shift."
I run to the restroom quickly because I've been at the register for the last several hours without a break. On my way out of the back, I grab the cart to remove the canned goods, already not looking forward to the ache moving so many cans is going to cause in my back.
I've got only half of them down and stacked onto the cart when the tinkle of feminine voices rounding the aisle meets my ears, making me look up.
Although there are two new faces, I recognize the small group of Russian women, including the same one I spoke with mere days ago.