When she opened them, she saw an elderly woman struggling to carry several bags toward a car.
Naomi approached.
"Would you like some help?"
The woman smiled gratefully.
"Oh, that would be lovely."
Naomi helped her carry the bags.
The older woman thanked her.
Then drove away.
For several seconds, Naomi stood quietly.
She looked toward the pharmacy entrance.
And realized she had just helped someone in the same parking lot where she'd once felt completely powerless.
The thought made her smile.
She walked inside.
Mara Kim was standing behind the prescription counter.
When she saw Naomi, her expression softened.
"Naomi?"
Naomi smiled.
"Hi, Doctor."
Mara stepped closer.
For a moment, she seemed emotional.
"How are you?"
Naomi took a breath.
"Better."
Then she showed her a photograph of Maya.
The pharmacist gasped.
"Oh, she's beautiful!"
Naomi laughed.
"Thank you."
They talked for several minutes.
Mara asked how the family was adjusting.
Naomi described the sleepless nights.
The joy.
And the chaos of having an infant in the house.
Then Mara became quiet.
For a moment, she looked toward the entrance.
"I'm sorry about what happened here."
Naomi nodded.
"I know."
The pharmacist continued.
"I wish we'd been able to stop it sooner."
Naomi looked toward her.
Then said gently, "You verified my prescription. You preserved the footage. And you told the truth."
Mara's eyes filled.
Naomi smiled.
"Thank you for that."
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then the pharmacist laughed softly.
"Well, let's make sure today's visit is much less exciting."
Naomi grinned.
"Please."
She completed her ordinary pharmacy visit.
Collected her purchase.
And walked toward the exit.
No police cruiser stood outside.
Nobody demanded her medication.
Nobody questioned whether she belonged.
She simply walked to her car.
Placed the bag inside.
And drove home.
For the first time in a year, the pharmacy was just a pharmacy again.
That evening, Amanda arrived at Naomi's house.
She was wearing a black athletic jacket and carrying a small bag of toys for Maya.
The baby was sitting on a soft blanket in the living room, exploring a colorful stuffed animal.
When she saw Amanda, she squealed.
The champion laughed.
"There's my girl!"
She knelt.
Maya reached toward her.
Amanda picked her up carefully.
Then looked toward Naomi.
"How was your day?"
Naomi smiled.
"I went back."
Amanda stopped.
"To the pharmacy?"
Naomi nodded.
For a moment, Amanda looked concerned.