“I see,” you mutter, letting it slip out of your mouth like a death sentence. Hold on now, keep it together, you think, we’re not done here yet. Some important info has just come your way, and you instantly try to assess the situation. Force an advantage. The item belongs to a boy—a child, really—and that can certainly come in handy, plus, you now know that this young woman isn’t even an actual employee but the daughter of the owner. Of Herb himself. If need be, you can always ask to speak to her superior (Dad) and get down to it, mano a mano. You let a little sigh of relief escape your lips and turn your attention more fully back to her. “So, it’s your brother’s, huh?”

“Yeah. He’s always doing that, leaving his crap around,” she offers, flashing a set of teeth that make her the former cheerleader that she undoubtedly is. “We tell him not to—Mom does, anyhow—but he thinks this is, like, some public park or whatever in here. Running up and down the aisles and stuff; he’s so annoying.”

“Hmm. I see.” You’ve got to be careful here—not too eager but somewhat insistent. Use a bit of the old “big city” charm that comes so naturally to you. “Do you mind if I see it again? Just for a second.”

Naturally she’s suspicious and only holds it out to you from a distance, allowing you to do exactly what you’ve asked for: see it. You grin at her literal application of your request, then laugh. Not broadly or forced, but with the natural grace that your laugh has taken on during your adult years.

“I’m sorry,” you say, “I meant could I actually hold it again?”

Reluctantly she obliges you but does not return to her novel. She only really hands it over when two older women in pantsuits and matching sunglasses barge into the room from an entrance across the way. They arrive with a clatter of dishes and swinging purses and the girl’s attention is momentarily stolen. She studies you one more time—you’d think she was handing you the keys to the palace treasury, the way she’s acting—before putting the pail into your hands and wandering off to assist the interlopers.