It was not a good way to start her day. Taking a deep breath and forcing herself to focus on the here and now in a positive manner, she reminded herself of all she had to be grateful for. Her parents were still alive. She was healthy. She was sharing her childhood home with her mom and dad and was totally okay with it. While she wasn’t a millionaire, she was in very good financial shape, which meant she had the means to keep the store up and running throughout the Christmas season. And that was all she needed for now.

A tapping at the door drew her away from her thoughts. She swiped her hands across the Santa sweatshirt, then opened her door. “Yes?” she asked the woman in the purple leggings. “Is there something you need help with?” She stepped out of the office into the store’s main aisle.

“This,” the woman said, holding up a small glass angel. “Do you truly expect me to pay this awful price?” She dangled the glass angel by its tag.

Lauren was so taken aback, it took a few seconds before she could reply. “Please,” she said, taking the fragile ornament from the woman, “these are very delicate, and yes, I do expect you to pay what’s shown on the tag. These are one-ofa-kind pieces. Made by well-known artisans across the state.” She couldn’t believe how crude these women were. “Perhaps you might find something more to your taste and pocketbook at a . . . flea market.”

The look on the woman’s face was worth the loss of a sale. “Well, I do believe you are one rude clerk.” She turned around so quickly that Lauren felt an actual gust of frosty air.

Lauren prided herself on being, cool, calm, and collected. Most of the time. But this was not one of those times. She whirled around and walked toward the front door. When she yanked the door open, a gush of icy cold air surged throughout the store. She pointed at the women. “I’d like for you all to leave. Now.”

Seeing the shock on their faces, she almost laughed, just managing not to.

The three objectionable females marched toward the exit like three blind mice.

Purple leggings said, “I am going to write a review of this . . . place on Yelp, and it’s not going to be a good one.”

The other two nodded their agreement.

Once they were out of the store, Lauren closed the door and locked it, then placed the CLOSED sign in the window.

Back in her office, Lauren took a deep breath. She could not believe how she’d reacted to their pettiness. What she needed was a break from all the stress the holiday season was generating.

Wait. The holidays were just getting started. She couldn’t throw in the towel, no matter how much she currently felt like doing so. This, too, shall pass. She’d had a terrible Black Friday and then these catty ladies today. Lauren wouldn’t let this get her down. She could not afford to. The least she could do was to give the entire month of December a chance.