Got Caught but Let Go Without Police Involvement

[feel lost]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: MA

In the bad economy, I'm jobless. actively looking for a job, but the search was fruitless as there's hiring-freeze everywhere in my industry. I know this shouldn't be an excuse for what I did. The shame I feel is eating me away. sometimes I even think of committing suicide.

The story: a local grocery store, $60~ food.
The store stuff stopped me at the exit. They took down my driver's license information and car plate number, but didn't take pictures or fingerprints of me, didn't ask me to sign any paperwork to admit shoplifting. No police officer showed up. I don't know if they called the police or not. Maybe they did make the call, but police were too busy to come that day. Anyway, they asked me to pay for the grocery and then let me go with the food. They said I'll receive letters from the store and from the police in mail. Of course I was barred from the store for life.

This happened before Christmas. I haven't received anything from the store or the police yet. I have clean record before. My questions:
1, averagely how long dose it take to process a civil demand and a charge for a case like mine?
2, the store employee let me go so easily, dose it mean they didn't intend to prosecute me?
3, how can I find out whether or not the store has filed a report to the police?
4, should I hire an attorney now or wait until I hear anything from the store or the local court/police?
5, on the yellow page there's many criminal law defense lawyers. how can I tell which on is the best for my case?

Thanks for any advices!!!

Day and night, I'm living in depression and fear. I dare not go for job interviews as I'm afraid the background check will bring this out. The worst punishment is to live in one's own mental imprisonment. My words for people out there: don't steal, no matter how difficult your situation is!