Teresa didn't see anything strange about Samantha eating in the store at all. She had grown up in this town and had only left it for four short years in college way back in the 1970s. There were far less professional things that people around Lake Flannery did than eat breakfast during their shift. In fact, Teresa herself had been guilty of munching on an apple, a muffin, or a salad at the beginning of class on occasion and making her students do busy work until she had enough energy to lecture.
"Oh no, I'm sorry," she told Samantha. "I didn't even see that you had your mouth full. I'd love for you to check the back but don't interrupt your meal on my account. I'm sure you know by now that I waste a lot of hours in here. I'm not going anywhere. Take your time. I'll let you finish up," she assured her, waving her arm in hopes of dismissing any protests Samantha might try to make. Stepping backward as she spoke, Teresa backed right into one of the display tables, clumsily knocking a stack of books to the floor.