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My sister Lucy called me. She was at work the other night by herself. She works at Delmarva Tobacco Outlet on the Eastern Shore Of Virginia. There is no outside lights to the parking lot except for a lightbulb over the door. So you cannot see if anyone enters the lot until they are right up to the door. She is behind the counter and all of a sudden the door opens and a black man wearing a ski mask and carrying a 9mm handgun enters the store and points the gun right at my sister. He tells her to open the cash register or he is going to shoot her. She quickly opens it and he tells her to get on the floor. He reaches in the cash register takes the money ($300.00) and then walks around behind the counter. My sister begged him not to shoot her. She told him to go ahead and take anything he wanted but please do not shoot her. He grabs some cartons of Newport cigarrettes. He then tells her do not get up or he will kill her. She shakingly told him she wouldn't. He then ran out of the store. She listened for a bit and didn't hear anything and she inched her way on the floor over to the panic button and pushed it. Then she slowly got up and seen he was not in the store or at the door and she quickly got up and locked the store door. She ran to the back office, locked herself in and dialed 911. It took the police 45 minutes to get there. When they arrived they took the information, watched the security tape. My sister asked them how come it took so long to get there. They told her they couldn't find the place. It is not properly lighted and very hard to see from the highway. My sister is traumatized. She's even scared to be alone in her own home now. She calls her regional manager and the main office. Asks for a couple days off, they tell her no. She asks that they assign someone with her to work nights, they said no. She asks them to light the parking area, again she is told no. This company makes millions and they say they can't afford to put up proper lighting? They told her if she didn't like their policy then quit. She can't, because she needs this job. Jobs on the eastern shore are scarce, if you got one you better keep it, cause it could be months before you found another one. She has worked there over 2 years, even worked on holidays when no others would and this is how she is treated. She is at work now. Everytime the door opens she is terrified it is gonna be another robbery. I am gonna ask for you all to put her in your prayers so that she may stay safe.

Now I am not gonna be on the internet for a few days. I am leaving later tonight and going to Emma's, where I will be staying for a few days. I will be back home tuesday. Emma is about drained and really needs some rest. So, I am going to pack up some things, Rebecca and go over there. I am also taking her and the kids to go visit Dan for the day tomorrow. I know he is missing Emma and the kids alot, and they are missing him.

If anything happens I will be in touch with a few jlanders and let them know to let you all know. Sugar if you read this before 7pm will you email me with your phone number? I cannot for the life of me find it, grrrrrrrrrr.

So take care everyone. Keep warm, dry, cool where ever you live, and have a wonderful 3 day weekend. I am going to miss you all. Maybe I'll write a few letters while I am there. And LJ, Emma says thank you for all the baby coupons. She is making good use of them for sure. I am going to clear out some pics off my camera, so I can take lots of pics over the next few days, to share with you all when I get home.

Love to you all.......................CINDY xoxoxo