An Area

I walk out of the store that I work at and into the mall. I sit down at the tables by the Starbuck's kiosk. I watch the people go by. Some are employees of other stores here, but many are shoppers. There are several people who come to just walk; their number increases when the weather in very hot, wet, or cold. Most seem to be in a slight hurry; they move quickly from store to store.
I look up towards the ceiling. There are tall white poles rising high from the floor that are 'trees' and many colored square 'leaves' hang from the roof. The skylight lets in sunshine, lending to the atmosphere of "Aspen Grove". I look around. There is carpeting on most of the floor, nice couch-like benches and casual stuffed chairs. Not very upscale, but not shabby.
Most of us who work here at the mall know each other. We also know many of the regular walkers and shoppers. A bit like a small town attitude; I know more about many of these people than I do some of my own neighbors. There is the gentleman from Lebonon who runs the jewelry store. The manager at Wet Seal doesn't get enough time with her young children. The "Snake-Lady" bemoans that her eldest son is in jail---again.
Lunchtime at work, for me, is a time to people-watch and to people-connect.