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7

REVV

L illian’s craft store is adorable. It has this cute old-fashioned cash register at the front with advertisements for knitting, quilting, and tatting classes hung on the inside of the door. The first section is all fabric. Lace, flannel, cotton, polyester, and tulle all in various colors and prints. Next to the fabric is a collection of sewing machines on wooden tables. That’s probably where they hold the classes.

I walk down the aisles until I reach the yarn section. There is sooooo much yarn. The yarn section transitions into the ribbon section, which becomes the button section. I like the button section. So many fun bits of plastic. The buttons are next to the zippers, which are next to the fluff.

The fluff is very important. I guess I won’t be needing any pillows. This place is great.

The back of the store is crammed with scrapbooking paper, stickers, candles, and toys. I’m impressed by how many googly eyes they have. There are ten different sizes and several colors.

“I see that you’re planning some kind of project,” Lillian says, gesturing to all the items I have in my hands. I may have picked up a bolt of fabric, twelve buttons, a pair of scissors, and three different sizes of googly eyes.

“I need these things,” I explain.

“Oh, I’m sure you do. This wouldn’t be the first time a nesting penguin shifter raided my store. It’s a craft store, after all, and burrowing penguin shifters live in these parts. Take whatever you need. I know the paperwork for getting reimbursed by the government like the back of my hand.”

“Oh. Then you’re fine if I stay in this corner? It needs some embellishments and maybe a mattress. Do you think I could borrow a mattress?”

She smiles. “I’ll ask my nieces to bring one over. Any other requests?”

“It would be nice to get my suitcase moved here.”

“You mean the one with all the rocks?”

“Yes, that’s the one. Also, licorice and some vibrating butt plugs please.”

Her smile fades. “You know what? I’m going to let Chris take care of that last one for you. But I’ll get the mattress, suitcase, and licorice sent over. For now, I imagine you’d like a little privacy.”

She leaves me alone in her store with the humming lights and the many, many googly eyes. Which is good because I have a lot to do. I can’t be distracted by good-natured aunts who won’t bring me butt plugs.

I open a pair of scissors and get to work.