As if obnoxiously popping bubblegum in the silenced supermarket wasn’t enough of a disturbance, Veronica drummed her fingers against the handle of her cart. The beat louder and faster than the droning elevator music humming in the background. The brush of her shoulder yanked her away from thoughts; her visceral reaction unmanaged. “Can I help you?” A clear tone of aggression. “The banana sale is over there, asshole.”














