Before You Say Goodbye

1

I can't wait to get home, it was the first thought in my mind as I stepped out of the grocery store. My seemingly long and boring shift had just ended and all I could think of was my inviting bed. I could finally get some much-needed sleep.

I looked behind me at the grocery store, a small grimace appearing on my face as I took in the dirty exterior, the paint that was peeling off, the name board up top that looked like it could be older than my Grandfather would be. Considering how old this store was, I wouldn't be surprised if that were true. I think somewhere in the back of my mind if I recalled hard enough, I'd be able to remember the story of how my Nana and her mom went grocery shopping here every Sunday after church and how she sometimes stole Butter or cheese from the fridge in the dairy section – just for the kick of it.

"Hello, Adeline. Is that you, dear?"

I mentally shook myself off my thoughts, turning to the front. A polite smile instantly pulled at my lips. After having to deal with my pain in the ass Manager and a bunch of other rude customers, I was glad to see at least one friendly face today. One of his hands clutched a dog's leash while his other held on tightly to his walking stick as our town's oldest war veteran smiled at me. "Hello, Mr. Foster. How are you?"

"I'm very well, dear," he said, "Recognized that vanilla shampoo of yours. How are you?"

Already very used to his somewhat creepy but effective way of identifying people using smell, I shrugged his comment off. "I'm good as well, thank you for asking," I threw my thumb over my shoulder in the direction of the grocery store, even though the blind man in front of me couldn't see, "Are you going to go shop?"

"Yes," he nodded his head down to the dog by his side, "Ran out of dog food. Who is in shift now?"

Grimacing, I glanced back into the store through the window. "Betty," I told him, watching as my co-worker chewed viciously on her gum, a scowl on her face.

"Oh, boy," he chuckled, "Danny is going to have a blast."

As if aware that we were talking about him, the German shepherd sitting by Mr. Foster's leg looked up at me. His big brown eyes taking me in and he let out a short bark, bobbing his head up and down as if he was acknowledging my existence. Smiling wider, I reached down to pet the dog, an absolute sweetheart to me, but for some reason a nightmare to everyone else in our little town, "Hello, Danny. Have you been a good boy?"

Danny rubbed his long snout against my hand and let out a small satisfied whine when I reached behind his ear to rub him there. Mr. Foster threw his head back, laughing. "Danny here's got a crush on you, dear. I tell you, he's never like this with anyone else."

I grinned. "I'm a lucky girl then, I guess."

Chuckling, Mr. Foster nodded, "Are you waiting for your mother to pick you up, dear? If she's coming, maybe I should wait with you. I need to ask your mom if she could bake her famous pie for the neighborhood's get-together next week. You're coming with her too, aren't you?"

At the mention of her, my entire body froze up. Anger and something unnamable, something bitter coursed through me. As if sensing me freezing up, Danny whined, rubbing himself against my palm. I subtly cleared my throat, pretending all was peachy in my life. "No, Mr. Foster, I'm afraid she's not coming to pick me up today. She's busy with some new project, you see," I didn't bother asking what this neighborhood's get-together was for. I didn't want to know. I didn't want to go. I was sure mom wouldn't want to go either – that was how things had become now. "Besides, the house's only a few blocks away. I can walk."

Taking my word for it, Mr. Foster nodded. "I'll see you around, Adeline. Get home before the rain starts."

What rain?