“I can cover eighteen dollars,” Carl said.

“But the district manager is coming down from Houston this week for a surprise audit.

He’s already hunting for reasons to clean house.”

I rubbed my left thumb across my right knuckles.

“I’ll pay closer attention, I suppose,” I said.

“You’ve got to focus, Doll,” Carl said.

“If the district man catches you making a mistake like that, he’ll fire you on the spot.

I can’t protect you from corporate.”