“Lots of reasons. These women, most of them have kids but no husbands. This is a temporary thing for them until they find something better, which they usually do.” He pauses. “But sometimes Huey hits on them when he comes in drunk. I’ve seen him do it, and so has your brother. It’s totally gross, dude. The girls, they usually slap him and quit on the spot. One thing about Huey, he likes the ladies.”

“What about his wife?”

“Helen? She’s the meanest bitch in the world. She hardly ever comes in, but when she does, stay out of her way. All Helen Dawkins knows how to do is complain. Huey keeps a picture of her below the register. Check her out sometime. She’s hot, but she’s a terror.” He laughs. “Man, I don’t blame Huey for trying to score with all the cashiers.”

“Do the cashiers steal?”

“Some do, yeah. You have to get to know them at first, get a feel for their attitude. That’s why I said they make all the difference. Like Brenda out there. She won’t pay for that Diet Coke, and I know she takes cigarettes, but that’s about it. She won’t steal alcohol or anything. Little details like that, they tell you a lot. So Brenda steals Coke and cigarettes and doesn’t try to hide it, which tells you she’s cool with you doing the same thing.” We move back behind the cooler, out of Brenda’s sight. “But the best thing to do, Zach, to be safe, is to keep it all to yourself. Don’t say anything to the cashiers about what you take, no matter how cool they seem.” He looks around and nods. “Cover your tracks and you’ll be fine. It’s like an unwritten stock boy code. You’re gonna love it here. I know I have.”

“Then why are you quitting?”

“It’s time for a change. A guy I go to State with got me a job with his uncle’s landscaping firm in Okemos. I just found out a few days ago. We’re sharing an apartment up there. I’ll be out of Blaine for the summer and working outside near campus. Finally.” He pauses. “Once you go away to college it’s hard to come home and stay with your parents all summer.” He shrugs. “Well, at least for me it is. You’ll see. Besides, Huey’s been on me for everything lately. I don’t take it personally or anything. I think he’s just pissed because your brother quit and he knows what a pain it is to break in new blood.” He gives me a puzzled look. “Does Justin even know you’re working here?”

“I doubt it. My dad just decided last night.”

“Well, tell Justin I’m quitting too.”

“Why does he need to know?”

“Don’t worry about why. He’ll explain.”