My Life in Rosewood

Chapter Forty-Three

Things were weird for a while. That video of Melissa eventually got debunked and they found out she had nothing to do with Alison's murder. Then A targeted Mona to the point they tried to get her to expose Hanna and her mom about Wilden, which had Hanna finally tell her she was also getting those texts. She didn't say enough for her to know about us being involved though so we still had to keep that to ourselves.

Since Mona decided not to give that evidence in that of course back fired as it usually does, because even though Mona sacrificed her own dignity by not sending whatever they asked in and instead got herself into trouble for shop lifting, this person still went after her. At lunch that day A put a note in the foil of her apple saying she would eventually bite and give in, which of course freaked her out. So Hanna convinced her to eat with us and the others so she wouldn't feel so alone. This seemed to help.

Now I feel like I need to keep her safe so I've been keeping an eye on her for the last few weeks the best I can. That includes having her come with me to the store after school on days she isn't busy so she isn't alone. This could be the distraction she needs. Or even to vent if needed.

We are both in my office talking while I'm buying inventory on my computer so I don't have my focus completely on her, but enough that I am listening as she talks. Then I hear a voice call me from the door and my head pops up from behind the screen to look that way.

An average height girl with medium skin tone, dark brown hair and light brown eyes is staring at me. It's one of my new hires and I smile, "What's up, Saddie?"

She smiles gently back, "Sorry to bother you, Marie asked me to let you know we are running low on golf balls and baseballs."

I nod and write that down on a piece of paper beside me, "Thanks. Got them on the list."

She nods back at me, "Okay, cool." Then she gives the frame of the door an awkward pat before she disappears. She's only been working here for a few weeks now but I think she is still trying to get used to working for a teenager.

I finally was able to figure out what to do with the store so we could get extra help, be open 5 days a week instead of 3 now that my basketball time was cut short, and to open at an earlier time of the day. Saddie is a girl in her early 20s who has management experience from a fast food job and happens to be one of my mom's coworkers' daughters. I had met her a few times while mom was still alive and we vibed well enough to stay in touch because of our love for sports. She even went to the wake with her mom when my family died. So this is how her application landed in my lap. She will be helping Marie with management as a whole in a team effort, but will be mainly in charge of the morning shift when we aren't here.

I also hired a 19 year old guy named Barry who is still in school but needed a job when he wasn't at his classes. He is also on the morning shift and will come in for later times whenever needed around his classes.

Win win for everyone thankfully, because my shoulder is still in bad shape and I don't want Marie to be responsible for so much when I'm having a hard time keeping up more than ever. I'm no longer in a sling after being in physical therapy for weeks, but at some point I will need surgery to get my shoulder back to better health because I'm still in pain.

"She seems..."

"To fit in?" I eye Mona with cautious eyes because I know how her mind works.

She half smiles, "Yes?"

I shake my head and roll my eyes a bit before looking back at my computer, "Tread lightly about making fun of my employees, Mona. This isn't school where you think it's okay to bash people for their quirky side."