At the busiest part of the day, a tall man and very short lady waited patiently at the counter as both Rosie and Charlotte contended with what felt like an endless stream of customers. Rosie took money and chatted. Charlotte gift wrapped.
Rosie had acknowledged the couple and asked if they minded waiting, so there they stayed, for at least ten minutes. When at last there was a break at the counter, although Charlotte continued roaming the shop from customer to customer, Rosie had reached her hand out to shake theirs.
“Charlie, this is Pastor and Mrs Stevens. They are generously helping with the giving box. Pastor, Mrs Stevens, please meet Charlotte Dean who recently joined me here.”
That done, Charlotte took off to take books from someone with a tower in their arms and missed much of th
