I shut my laptop and checked my phone for the time. I’d planned the trip out perfectly - just enough time to make the round trip and be back in time for the meeting with my boss.

I'd finally get to that pet store today.

It was only a ten-minute drive, which gave me a little time to go through the options again. I wouldn’t get a big turtle, that would need a larger tank, and since I already had the tank, well, that part was set.

My friends said I was crazy for turtles. Today I’ll prove it. It can’t be that hard to take care of one, can it?

I shivered as I shut the car door and raced for the automatic entry to Pets We Do. I’ll have to bring it out to the car covered up. Maybe I should have brought a blanket? No, it'll be fine. it's just a minute or two. Maybe I can get a store employee to help - they can bring it out to my car. I can get the engine running first, maybe? Maybe run the seat heater?

No, I couldn’t put it on the front seat.

"Miss?"

"Whoops, sorry."

I had nearly run over a boy wearing the store uniform and a baseball cap. He was retrieving dead fish from a tank with a dipper.

"Better be careful, the floor is wet over here."

I nodded in his direction then looked away fast when I realized he was my type.

Gee, these tank labels are so interesting!

He was tall. (Well, everyone was tall for me. I barely touched five feet on a good day.) Broad shoulders, too. Nice eyes.

Labels. Turtles. I’m here to buy a turtle or two, not pick up a date.

I don’t have time for this. Where are the turtles? The tanks were right here last week.

Maybe they moved them? I checked the other side of the store, then tried to avoid catching his eye as I came back.

No time for love, Dr. Jones. Back to the chase.

But these are just fish tanks.

He had a nice voice though. Maybe I could ask him?

No, I don’t have time. If I talk to him, I’m going to flirt, and I don’t have time.

I don’t have room for a man, just a turtle!

Her friends would have laughed at that. Her place was a running joke to them; just one tiny studio apartment. Low ceilings. It was the only place she could afford, though, since she refused to take a handout from her parents. They had enough going on, taking care of Grandma and all.

Plus, he’s too young for me. His voice…wasn’t he a kid? What are you thinking? You’re a grown woman. He’s got to be a teenager, he just looks older.

They only hire teenagers here.

Ah! I see the turtle labels. They’re low down, though, almost on the floor. That’s why I didn’t see them.

I dropped to a crouch, trying not to get my skirt dirty on the floor, and felt my breath hitch in my throat as I looked through them once, then again, then a third time.

They’re all empty. Every single one.

#incoalmo - day 3