I've been working the night shift lately, coming home at around eleven o'clock or so. But before I leave, after cleaning, mopping, scrubbing sticky yogurt-covered gummy bears off the tile floors, and snagging a little yogurt to take home for myself (it usually lasts the ride home, at least), and I stand outside the store, and stare in. The machines are on standby for the night, a choir of low mechanical humming accompanied by a line of glowing LED lights. Like little red eyes staring back at me. There is always a light on in the back, making the place look as if haunted by some invisible attendant. The radio, which I can hear from outside, plays old, sappy music on repeat heard only by the machines and me as i stand listening. In this brief, eerie moment, i feel completely alone. The place looks like it's hiding a secret from me. Like it's waiting for me to leave. I turn and get in the car, as the little red eyes watch me drive away.
