For nearly 30 years, a woman has worked in a laundromat here in town, helping customers with the machines and washing and folding loads of drop-off laundry. Julia moves and talks slowly, her eyes have that weary, half-lost look often found in people her age, and her face is worn with care and wrinkles. When you’re 87 years old, pardon the pun, you’ve gone through the wringer.
About nine months ago, a new owner took over the business. He fired all the employees and replaced them with new staff. Most people in Julia’s shoes would have decided the time had come to call it quits.