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she moved on to the mini mart. A ponytailed man informed her that he and two others covered all the shifts there.
    She crossed over to the hardware store, where a cheerful couple gave her the news that they and their son and their granddaughter ran the store and “thank you very much for asking, dear.” He was tall and she was tall, and Alessi guessed the son and even the granddaughter were as well. She’d have fit in nicely there, but they had it covered. “Good luck,” Grandma called. “Hope you find something.”
    Alessi passed a motel that she hadn’t noticed on the way in, since it had only two rooms and the sign lay facedown in the tiny front lot. She went into the beer and pool hall. It wasn’t open for business yet, but when she tapped the window, the door was opened by a man with blond hair that stood straight out an inch from the sides and top of his head. He had the proverbial broom, his purpose made clear by barrels of salted peanuts in the shell.
    Alessi said, “I could sweep that up for you. I’m looking for work.”
    He looked her down and up. Not unkindly, but with a sort of vague confusion. “And I would do what?” That left her stumped just long enough that he said, “Sorry. Can’t help you. Wish I could,” and closed the door.
    Alessi walked on in the cold. No one needed her, that was plain, but they all sure wished her well. If wishes were fishes, or horses, or fairy wands—or halos? Alessi shivered as her hair glazed. No sense asking at the city hall, with its sign that said call Frank at home with inquiries, so she made her way back to the gas station.
    Ben waved her inside and brewed up a hot chocolate. “Any luck?”
    She shook her head, the strands faintly clinking. “Not yet. But I’ve only done half of the town. Once I warm up a little, I’ll start on the other.” She sipped. “Ben, do you think I could start a tab for a few things like a toothbrush and toothpaste? Just until I get my money back or a paycheck?”
    “Get whatever you need, Alessi. We’ll just write it down.”
    She started down the short aisle that held shoelaces, eyeglass repair kits, toothbrushes, and combs. She selected a hairbrush as well as the dental items. Maybe there was somewhere in town with lower prices on those things, but she doubted anyone else would let her wait to pay.
    Dave came in rubbing his hands. “Hey there. Is that Steve’s coat?”
    She nodded. “He’s letting me use it.”
    “So you two made up?”
    “No. He thinks I’m a liar. But that reminds me. I can pay for these things.” She pulled out the tens. “I thought Steve planted the money in the pocket to see if I’d take it, but he seemed surprised it was there. He said to use it, so …”
    “You just save that for something else.” Ben pushed the bills away and wrote down the items.
    She put the money back into her pocket, then rolled the top of the small sack shut and tried to work up the energy to continue her search. “People in Charity must be the nicest people around, but this town seems to be high on help and low on need.”
    “You ought to talk to Steve at the bookstore.” Dave tore open a Danish pastry and took a bite. “He’s always over his head when he buys a collection. Spends hours searching out the history and value of each book.”
    “I think he’d just as soon forget I’m here.”
    “He’s not really like that,” Ben said. “It’s been a rough year.”
    Alessi took the stool next to the counter and leaned on her elbow. She might as well thaw out a little.
    Ben moved the cardboard display of breath drops. “He was up in Anchorage working as a park ranger, but his dad took a bad turn, and Steve came back to run the store.” Ben shook his head. “He wasn’t ready to lose him.”
    Alessi nodded. She could certainly understand that. Her daddy’s death had been sudden too. She chewed her lower lip.
    “And that’s not all.” Dave crushed the plastic wrapper and threw it into the trash. “His