“Martin, why don’t you leave early tonight. I can close up by myself. You can stay clock into if you like,” Eddie said, his accent still thick despite living in the US for over 2 decades. 

“Are you sure boss?” Martin said, his eyes lighting up at the prospect of leaving early. Martin is one of those kids who had a bad raising, got into some trouble, and ended up in juvie. After that, his parents disowned him, and now he was living alone despite being only 18 and not even out of high school. Eddie took pity on the kid and gave him a job despite not needing the help. Mother did always say people like Martin will change the world and he wanted to be part of that.

“Yes, I am sure Martin. Kana and Kazue are sleeping over with a friend so I don’t need to be home early. Go and don’t get into any trouble, you hear?” Martin said. 

“I won’t, and thank you!” Martin quickly gathered his things, and before he left, Eddie gave the kids a twenty for dinner. He didn't even give Martin the time to answer before pushing him out the door. 

Martin gave a light sigh and a shake of his head before returning to his work, which happened to be a bunch of paperwork to get ready for the holiday season. It was a slow and laborious process coupled with the quietness of the store and the lack of customers made it all so much worse. As the hours passed, Eddie found himself wanting to fall asleep, that was until the bell of the door echoed through the store. He perked up like a dog and looked over to see a mother coming through with several children bouncing after her. 

“Wow look at all the cookies!”

“Mom I want that one!” 

“Mom look at this one it's a dog!” 

The store was immediately filled with laugher and excitement as the children ran around the store, looking at all the sugary sweets. A few of them knocked over the decorations as they ran, causing them to get an ear full from their mother. Eddie couldn’t help but smile while watching them. It reminded him of when his girls were still small. Emma, the oldest was away in college studying medicinal while the younger ones, Kana and Kazue, a pair of twins, were in their teens years and practically out of the nest. What he would do to have a house full of kids running around again. If only that was possible. 

The excitement in the store only grew as the kids picked out what they want, and brought them to the counter. “I’m so sorry about them. Giving them more sugar might not be the best idea,” The mother said apologetically as she brought over a large decorated cake as well as what the kids picked out. 

“No worries. Children must be children,” Eddie said with a warm smile. He checked out the cake and gave what the kids picked out for free. After bagging up the cake and handing the kids their sweets, he walked them out of the store. “Now kids, what should you say to your mother?” 

“Thank you mom!” all of them said in unison. 

“And you have a good night,” He said to the mother before opening the door for them. All of the kids funned through and ran back to their car in excitement. Their mother gave him another apologetic look before running after them. 

Eddie waved them goodbye and was about to close the door when his nose picked up something strange, gunpowder? He looked around the area, his eye narrowing in suspicion. He tentatively closed the door and flipped over the open sign. He quickly cleaned up and left. Something in the pits of his stomach told him it was going to be a rough night.