Chapter 22: Joe Markle
No matter what kind of emotional bullshit Judd had recently caused in Avery’s life, Avery had work to do. The month of December just happened to be one of his busiest at the thrift store because of Christmas shoppers. Middle-aged women loved to buy his figurines, glass candy bowls, and vintage holiday tree ornaments. Gift-giving became a passion for Templeton residents during the winter holidays, and Avery’s Corner Thrift stayed busy, earning Avery a nice penny or two prior to Christmas.
Every year, he had hired a college student from Thanksgiving until the first of the year to help run the store. Usually the employee was a pretty, young woman with a history of dating too many jock boyfriends who cheated on her. This year was different, though. A young male had app
