Paul picked up extra hours. Patrons blocked the aisles. Three weeks into the search, the woman squeezed through the crowd. She was wearing a white rain coat and carrying an umbrella too delicate for the snow. She wore an ivory dress and white sealskin gloves. Paul did not see Agatha or her younger sister until the sister pointed and shouted “Paul? Paul! Paul is here!”
Agatha slithered around the people, lightly between thick shoulders and fat arms, touching more stubborn customers on their necks. Paul felt his throat constrict. He fled to the inventory room. Ron looked up from his turkey sandwich.
“Did you leave Tom alone out there?”
“No.”
“Who else is out there?”
“The devil.”
“Is the devil helping to watch the customers?"
“No one is shoplifting.”
“Everyone is shoplifting. Should I show you just how much I've ordered since March? Must I prove how much of it walked out of the store?”
Ron's sandwich was making Paul sick but he sat down.
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