Holly Arrives First

Holly walked into the Store.

"Glad to be out of those crowds. Something is driving people insane today." Holly said to herself.

She looked down at her wristwatch to discover she was 30 minutes early for her 1:00 o'clock shift.

"Aw, a little early" Holly whispered, before looking around.

She spotted Ashley running the register for a customer. Not seeing anyone else Holly walked through the store. She remembered Shannon texting her about the free food in the breakroom.

"Let's go see who's in the back," Holly said to herself.

As Holly was walking into the back hallway, she almost bumped into someone carrying a large box. Holly couldn't see the person's upper half, but she could make out the person's lower body.

"Hey, Penny," Holly said cheerfully.

She could recognize those thicc thighs and hips anywhere.

"Holly is that you?" Penny asked.

"Sure is. what are you doing with that box?" Holly said grabbing the other end.

The box was placed on the ground between the two women.

"Well ... a customer wanted an item. The computer said we were out of stock but, I knew we got a shipment this morning. Luke was going to process the shipment but he got busy ... and then he went with Shannon to get Lunch. So ... I was going to bring it to the register to scan the contents." Penny said sheepishly.

Holly liked Penny, she always went the extra mile for customers. But she wasn't the sharpest tool at the store.

"Penny my dear, you could just use the portable barcode scanner. You don't need to use the register." Holly said with a smile.

"Oh right! Darn, where did I leave my scanner?" Holly said while getting red with embarrassment.

"You said something about Luke being busy. He never fails to process shipments as they arrive. Is he not feeling well?" Holly said with concern.

"Oh no, he's not ill ... the store was busy and he ... got involved," Penny said nervously.

Penny when quiet as she recalled the recent events. In a flash, she re-experienced her time with Luke on the floor. All the while thinking of how fast she has gone from hating men to liking Luke. She had always hated her families' male members. They couldn't keep their hands to themselves. Her mother, aunts, sisters, and cousins all falling victim to their sexual appetites. She resented men and their incessant need to keep her family barefoot and pregnant.

But the more she thought of Luke, the more her hatred melted away. Luke was always nice to her ... Luke was also behind the situation where she confessed her true feelings to Ashley. She now gets to live a life with her girlfriend ... and raise their children together.

"Penny? ... Penny!?" Holly said touching her arm.

"What? ... sorry," Penny said being pulled from her daydream.

"You said Luke wasn't ill, but are you feeling okay? You spaced out for a moment." Holly asked while holding her friend's arm.

"Who me? I am great! Super! ... in fact you're the first person I can tell" Penny said cheerfully.

Penny pulled out her phone and a picture of herself being kissed by Ashly.

"Me and Ashley are now a couple," Penny said with glee.

"Congratulations! Did you confess your feelings first?" Holly asked relieved to have an explanation for Pennies odd behavior.

"Wait, how did you know?" Penny asked pulling back.

"Dear, everyone knows," Holly said with a smirk.

"What how?" Penny said turning redder.

"Okay, maybe not everyone. But most people could see how you looked at Ashley. You even told me you took this job because Ashley worked here." Holly said touching Penny's shoulder.

"Oh, right. Sorry, everything is going so fast. It is hard to think straight." Penny said quietly.

"Understandable. I once got the courage to confess to my crush. I got him to go on a date with me that night. That day I couldn't hold a conversation with anyone." Holly said with sympathy.

"Did the date go well ... maybe I should go on a date with Ashley tonight?" Penny asked excitedly.

"It did. It went so well in fact, that we got married, and stade together for 3 wonderful years," Holly said wistfully.

"Wait what happened?" Penny asked lowering her voice.

"He didn't want kids," Holly said with a smile.

Penny grabs Holly's hand and gives it a squeeze.

"I am sorry for your loss," Penny said quietly, before smiling "It's too bad that you didn't meet one of my many uncles. They love having kids."

"Ha ... I bet, you always complain about your ever-growing family," Holly said with a smirk.

"Penny I need your help," Ashley yelled from the front.

"Go help your girlfriend. I can process the morning shipment." Holly said looking back down the hall.

"Thanks," Penny said letting go of Holly's hand.

Holly watched Penny go.

"Dam, if only I had curves like that ... I wouldn't have so few suiters," Holly said turning to the box.