Page 26 of Eleven of a Kind

She walked back in with the same shirt and dress in a different size. I shoved the correct sizes into my backpack and zipped it up.

“I’m going to walk out of the store pretending I have to make a phone call,” she said. “You wait a few minutes and then come out.”

“What if I get caught?” I asked.

“You won’t. The sign right there says to leave the clothes on the rack over there. They’ll never know.”

I waited a few minutes, put the other shirt and dress on the rack, and left the dressing room.

“What did you think?” The saleswoman asked with a smile when I walked out.

“They didn’t look right on me.”

“Aw, that’s too bad. Have a good day.”

“Yeah, you too.”

I nervously walked to the front of the store, and when I went to open the door, the saleswoman stopped me.

“Can I see what’s in your backpack?” she asked.

“It’s just my school stuff,” I said.

“Well, you’re not leaving my store until I see what you have in there.”

Fuck.

CHAPTER10

Piper

“Come on.” I lightly grabbed her arm.

“Let go of me!” She tried to get out of my grip as I took her into the backroom.

“Open it,” I said.

She set her backpack down, unzipped it, and took out the dress and shirt.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“How old are you? Fifteen?”

“Yeah. I said I’m sorry, lady. I won’t do it again.”

“Sit down.” I pointed to the chair. “Stealing is a serious offense. Where’s your friend?”

“She had to go make a phone call.”

“So, she made you do it and then left you to take the fall? She’s no friend. What’s your name?”

“Riley.”

“Well, Riley. I should call the police.”

“Don’t. Please. I’m sorry. Please don’t call the police.”

“Fine, then I’ll call your mom. What’s her phone number?”

---