Nikki stands behind the counter checking the time on the register. She couldn’t wait for her lunch break. First real day on the job and she’d already dealt with some bitchy tourists. She hated this town and the people who visited during the summer months. They had put her to work in the Juniors department with and older lady who was busy doing stock while she ran register. The only highlight of this job so far was that it would give her a discount on their clothing. This department had a lot of discounted clothing and she and her family were already regular shoppers here so her 25% would be put to good use. Plus her sister’s birthday was coming up.

Even though she was angry with her sister she still cared. The store was having a dress sale this week and she had some money saved up some money to buy her sister a new dress. It had been awhile since Giselle had bought clothes that weren’t practical. Even her older sister needed to feel sexy every once in awhile.

Nikki sees a petite young woman with medium length blond hair, sun kissed skin and blue eyes headed in my direction. “Hi, my name is Tami” the blonde extends her hand.

She gives the bubbly blonde the once over. “Nicole,” She gives her the English version of my name.

Paola always thought it was better to use Nicole in public; as if people didn't start judging her immediately after seeing the name Ramirez.

“You’re new here,” she points out.

“Yeah just started,” Nikki replies.

“And they put you in one of the busiest departments, wow!” Tami says in her airy voice. “I work back in the Dress Department. Swimwear is back there too, I think I saw a suit that would be perfect for you.”

“Thanks but no thanks. I don’t really have time to go swimming and my current suit is just fine,” she tells her.

“You say that now but one thing I know about working here is that you see all sorts of stuff you want to buy during the day,” she says.

“I’m not an impulse shopper. However there is something that I need to buy from your department,” Nikki informs her.

“Ooh!” she squeals with delight. “Come on, let’s go back and look,” she grabs my arm trying to pull me.

“I’m working. And the rules are that we aren’t supposed to shop on the job,” states Nikki not wanting to get penalized on my first day.

“Peggy can ring up customers if they stop by. She’s always disappearing on the clock anyway. Plus it won’t take long anyway. Looking at you I know exactly what dress I should put aside for you.” She says as we head over to her department.

“It’s not for me. It’s for my older sister. Her birthday is coming up and I want something special for her,” Nikki says eye up a slinky black dress.

“It’s really cool that you work here now. Not a lot of young people work here, so it’s nice to see someone closer to my age, ya know? My mom has worked here for years so I can tell you everything you need to know about this job and the people who work here starting with the boss,” Tami tells me.

“Alright tell me about the boss, what dirt do you have on Mrs. Wilson?” Nikki inquires.

“She’s worked here since the 80s. She was a cashier working in the men’s suits department and her sales were always up. She was gorgeous from what everyone says and the pictures I’ve seen. Really skinny cuz back then she used to supplement organic juice mixes with meals. She modeled in ads for the store when they were expanding across the state,” Tami gossips.

“So what happened?” she asks thoroughly intrigued.

“Well the talk of the office has always been about her torrid affair with William Harrington,” Tami gabs.

“The William Harrington?” Nikki asks utterly surprised.

“What about William Harrington?” a voice asks behind them.

Turning around they see Mrs. Wilson standing tall dressed in a white her long brown hair on her shoulders, her dark eyes piercing them and her icy demeanor radiating. She looked good for her age, having discovered the wonders of Botox in moderation in addition to her health drinks.

“I didn't realize we were having an employee meeting. Get back to your departments and get back to working before I write both of you up,” she orders pointing a gaunt finger at them.