Melinda nodded. She wasn't really following what the hitwizard was saying, but it seemed the right thing to do. He left her side and Melinda just sat there and waited, mind gone comfortably numb. She was quite fine with that because the alternative she didn't even want to contemplate.
She was just starting to shiver when Ernie returned. some part of her must have been listening to what he'd been saying, but Melinda couldn't have recalled the words if she was asked. Nonetheless, she found herself answering, "Bobbin. Melinda Bobbin. This—" Her breath hitched. "This is my family's shop. I only just got here. A few...a few minutes ago."