The second half of her shift found her stocking cosmetics and inanely attempting to locate a shade of lipstick that she was fairly sure didn’t exist for a very persistent customer. Vern, embittered that Ernie Kovac at the store two towns over had won the Bledsoe’s Manager of the Month award, continued to get on everyone’s case. Even Josh, timid and levelheaded most of the time, began to become annoyed.
“I should have gone in with my buddy Dave when I had the chance,” he mumbled.
“What are you talking about?” Natalie asked.
“Copying and printing. He has his own business and does fairly well. He wanted me to be his partner, but alas I declined. I thought I could do better.”
“You are doing better,” Megan teased. “Your friend Dave doesn’t have us around.”
Josh groaned. “A vacation is definitely in the cards.”
“RAUL!” Vern bellowed.
Even though she didn’t work the full day, Megan was exhausted when she got home. She knew Vern would cool down eventually. She also knew she couldn’t take many more days like the one she just had. She took off her shoes, put her feet up and began to doze off.
Megan had not yet napped five minutes when she was stirred by the ringing of her phone.
“Hello,” she answered groggily.
“Hey Meg.”
“Ted?”
“What’s up?”
“Nothing,” she answered, yawning simultaneously.
“I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“Nah. I just got out of work. You?”
“I’ve been busy,” he answered. “Which is why I didn’t call sooner.”