Part 1: Just Another Ordinary Day

Rae’s legs ached. Her eyelids drooped. Her arms and fingers twitched with pain. She sighed heavily, looking out the massive store windows. A brilliant blue lightened the dark of night.

For the hundredth time that night, the holiday soundtrack restarted. And for the hundredth time that night, people shoved and pushed her out of the way. The store didn’t close during the holiday rush, and that meant restocking the shelves and racks. All. Night. Long.

“It’s 6am people,” Rae grumbled, putting away clothes on a rack. “How are there this many people at 6am?”

“It’s the holidays, I guess. I really should stop complaining.” Rae rubbed her neck.

Rae sighed again. The inner thoughts had been unusually chatty as of late. They have been catastrophizing things all night long. Rae placed more clothes on the rack, wishing they could shut-up.

“Oooh girl. You’re ready to hit the bed.” A booming yet friendly voice called out.

Exhausted, Rae let out a very defeated, “Hey, Lexi.”

Lexi towered over Rae. She had glowing deep-brown skin, dazzling brown eyes, and shiny black hair. Lexi’s long, intricate box braids were tied up in a high ponytail; however, they still reached her waist. Lexi had a willowy beauty to her. She radiated confidence and strength.

Rae, on the other hand, was nothing like Lexi. Rae’s petite frame was thin, perhaps too thin. Her brown-black wavy hair lacked sheen and barely reached her shoulders. Her hair was tied up in a very short ponytail. Her medium-tan skin seemed dry. Rae’s light-brown eyes didn’t have a shine or any light to them. Rae’s appearance screamed “overworked.”

Lexi placed a hand on her hip. “Weren’t you here since yesterday morning? You pulled a double?”

Rae continued to put away the clothes. “Not by choice. Scheduling thought it would be a wonderful idea to book my shifts six hours apart.”

“Ah! What do they think that is good for? A nap?”

“You’re telling me. So, I just stayed here instead of commuting home again.”

“Girl, come with me.” Lexi walked towards the breakroom.

Rae nervously looked around for any managers on the floor. Spotting none, she quickly followed Lexi.

Lexi pushed the door open with her back. “You’re still going to that party you’ve been dreading tonight?”

“Yep. Leaving straight from work. Goodie.”

Lexi went to the coffee machine, grabbed a cup and inserted a couple of coins. “You should stay home.”

Rae stretched her neck. “You’re probably absolutely right. Dear God, my feet hurt.”

“I’ve got you. What flavor do you like?”

“Hazle nut, please.”

Lexi pressed a couple of buttons. The coffee poured down hot. She handed the coffee to Rae and then grabbed a cup for herself.

“That is sweet of her. But am I being a leech?”

Rae blew away the steam. “Thanks, Lexi, you’re a lifesaver.”