Rowe and Clayton Pharmacy - 8:55 AM. Kara’s first 9am-to-5pm shift. She was early. Thomas grinned at her from behind the counter. “Look at you. Morning person era.” “Don’t get used to it,” Kara said. “But yeah. Feels good.”
The store was quiet. Seniors picking up meds. A mom with a baby. Normal Tuesday.
Kara was checking inventory when the bell above the door rang. She didn’t look up. “Morning! Prescriptions to the right, OTC to the left.” Footsteps. Stopped right in front of her.
“Kara.”
Her pen stopped moving. That voice. She looked up slowly. Her dad.
19 years older. Gray hair. Same eyes. Wearing a faded Lakers hat and jeans. He smiled like nothing happened. “Baby girl. You look just like your mom.” Kara froze. Her hands started shaking. Thomas saw her face and immediately stepped
