Rose had carefully parked the car in a section that looked like it catered to businesses. There seemed to be a few restaurants and shops on the street anyway. She’d looked for a Hallmark store, because those were good places to get directions. With all the cards those people sent out, they had to spend a lot of time looking at maps, and they must know the way to get just about anyplace! But there didn’t seem to be a card shop on this street at all, and she didn’t see any gas stations up ahead, so she’d just have to hope she could get some answers from one of the other businesses.
After making sure she had the keys in her hand before she locked the door, Rose secured the car then turned to look at the closest shop front. It was a coffee shop. That would definitely have people in it. But as she scanned the street, she noted that on the opposite side was a florist shop. Florists, like card stores, Rose reckoned, would have people that knew maps. They did deliveries all the time. So that would be an ideal place to get directions. Plus it would smell nice.
As she approached the corner, she noticed a young man waiting there as well. There was something about the way he stood that made her think that he wanted to be going already, not just standing. But the light hadn’t turned yet, and it was illegal to cross against the light. But there was a sign that said “To Cross Street, Push Button.” So Rose very helpfully stepped forward and pushed the button, then noticed the lit signal light on the other side of the crosswalk.
“Oh isn’t that cute!” she gushed. “It doesn’t say ‘walk’, it’s just a little red hand that says stop. Or maybe it’s waving. Not like it’s waving come across, because the light is still red, but more like ‘hello!’” Rose waved back. “Hello!”
She chuckled to herself, then realized the young man was staring at her. This was usually about the time when somebody told her to shut up, or hit her in the head with a newspaper. Which was probably what this young man was thinking. Rose bit her lip. “Or not”