"How can we help?" Leo and Charlie's friends are asking.

"What can we do to save the place?" I think they are talking about me.

I didn't know I was in danger. They are giving me the freak out, because I know that my foundation is solid. Sure, I had that little leakage problem, but that depends on whether you attribute it to me or the holes they cut into me for doors, windows, and air conditioners. We all dribble a little. And they fixed that.

So, I wonder what they mean by saving me. From what? Sure, I'm fond of these people, and all the weird doo-dads they have stuffed into me. I like all the colors they added. Most places don't get to see this much color, I think. Well, Sherwin does, but it's always contained. Me, I'm full of a riot of color.

Although, many of the colors on the displays have stayed empty longer than usual. Is this what they mean by "save"? Maybe they are wondering how they can get the colors filled up faster.

That's an easy one, to me. They just need to come in more often and buy more colors! I've seen how it works. Someone buys the things, Leo and Charlie use the money to get more, and then it starts again. So, really, they are confused. I don't need saving. I need more people breezing through me and picking up an item or two.

And really, I don't need that. I only need that if they want to keep calling me Tioli's. I've been other things. I'll be other things. I just wanted to play this way a little longer.

Charlie closed me early today. I think maybe she got her feelings hurt, but she's not saying.

Here's what happened: Leo opened shop, and Charlie came in later. Charlie got a call on her thing that has no cords connected to me, and it was her sister. Apparently she called to see how I was doing, and Charlie told her, "Well, it's Leo, Jack (the dog), and me here, and it's an hour into the day. I think we've had one customer so far." Her sister must have said something about things getting better, because Charlie picked up her chin, but I could see she was feeling down.

When Charlie's friend came in, though, I was sure that things were going to look up. This was a woman who always spoke lovingly to Charlie and encouraged her to be brave. However, as time unfolded, the woman pulled one, then two, then three bags of yarn out to show to Charlie... from internet purchases. They were beautiful yarns, and very inspiring, as Charlie said. Then the woman handed Charlie three balls of yarn to return to me. Charlie did the return, and gave the woman store credit, and chatted. But after the woman left, I could see that something was really wrong with what went on. Even though Charlie clearly loved seeing the yarns, she was defeated in her demeanor.

Charlie went into the bathroom, and then came out and announced to Leo, "I'm glad for that visit today. It shows me the difference between talking like a friend and acting like one. Also, it ticked me off enough to get me out of my slump. Now that I'm angry, I have some energy to keep going."

And with that, she closed shop for the day, with dollars in returns outnumbering dollars in sales. What kind of doing business is that?