The sun still burned in the sky, and the air still felt humid. The only shade came from tall trees that lined the sidewalks, which were of red brick. They passed an antique store with a window display of painted cast-iron doorstops and a barber shop with an old-school barber pole mounted on its brick façade. The town seemed busier, with more traffic clogging the narrow streets, couples strolling hand-in-hand to restaurants, and young people bopping around, toting backpacks, icy Dunkin’ Donuts drinks, and smartphones. Christine spotted people wearing white ribbons pinned to their clothes, and more than one shop window had a sign that read GAIL, YOU WILL BE MISSED! “Mission accomplished,” Christine said, after a moment. “We got Zachary a lawyer.” “Yes, and I like Griff.” “You mean Gruff?” Lauren laughed. They passed a hair salon with a sign that read STUDENT CUTS ONLY TWELVE DOLLARS, since West Chester was home to West Chester University. “He knows what he’s talking about, even if he reminds me of those Muppets in the balcony.”
