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threw three dimes into the register.

*

After several months of working at the shop, Jenny had gotten used to rude people. Sometimes she felt sorry for them because of their ignorance that other people had feelings. Other days she was just happy that she wasn't going to be working there much longer.

The owner called her over to the back office to let her know she had a phone call.

"Hello."

"Hi honey, I was calling to let you know that you'll need to cook for four tonight. My aunt Rose needs to stay with us..."

"Is she alright?"

"Yeah, she's fine. I don't want to bother you with this while you're at work...sorrry, I've got someone on the other line...I'll see you tonight, love you!"

"Love you too,Greg."

*

Greg switched over to his other line, "Hi, this is Greg Wallace..."

"Hi Greg, this is Josh Norton. I'm with Baker & Nash Advertising. I was wanting to set up an appointment with you to discuss a campaign I have for Eagle Ridge- Roger at the downtown branch gave me your number."

"Okay then. How does 8 A.M. tomorrow sound? Can you meet me at the branch on Wilson?"

"Sounds great,Greg. I'll see you then." Josh looked into his briefcase and realized he'd left the documents he needed for the drycleaners at his house. He immediately bolted from the table-leaving a mess that Jenny would later have to clean up.

Josh ran as fast as he could, knowing it would be much easier just to shower and change clothes once he got home instead of trying to take his time. Sweating and tired, he made it back to his house in record time.

He didn't even notice the scattered contents of a purse that littered the sidewalk.

Fumbling with his keys, Josh suddenly felt something metal and cold against his back.

"Don't turn around...give me your car keys."

A wave of fear hit Josh, "It-it-it doesn't work."

"Give me the keys, and stay right where you're at...don't move."

Moments later he heard the engine of his car rumble to life, about the same time his cell phone rang-causing him to spasm like he'd been shot.

"Ha-Hello?"

"Hey Josh! It's Michael. Just wanted to call and let you know I finally fixed your car this morning. I had to leave the post office for a couple of hours because of a robbery this morning-pretty sad thing, but it least it worked out great for you, right? Josh, are you there?"

"Mike, why does everything always happen to me?" Josh finally replied. He bent down to get his spare front door key from under a rock near his driveway.

"Hey mister!" the shrill voice of the little girl caused Josh to drop his phone in the mud, "would you like to buy some girl scout cookies? They're only $3.50."

Josh told the little girl she shouldn't be going door-to-door in such a crime-ridden city and to get off his lawn. He was late for an appointment.

*

That night at dinner, Jenny and Greg's daughter impressed her great-aunt Rose with the $350 she made in one week from selling cookies, despite some guy who was mean to her.

"It's so good to know that there are generous people out there-this morning I couldn't even get a man to let me buy a stamp from him," Rose said.

"Oh,I've got one better-this guy came into the sandwich shop and tried to cheat the place out of thirty cents!" Jenny replied.

"Whoa, you people have weird days," Greg finally added, "by the way, I've got to meet with a potential advertising agent for the bank in the morning-everyone ok with having him over for dinner tomorrow night?"

It was a dinner Josh would never forget.

Learn more about this author, Patricia Gilliam.
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