I’m Claire, and I have a story that will make you angry but perhaps make you grin. It’s about how I defended my Grampa from a rude customer at his new job.
Before I tell you what happened, let me talk about my grandparents.
Lung cancer killed my granny Scarlett two months ago. It devastated our family, but Grampa Albert felt it most. After 40 years together, he was alone in their big old house.
My grandmother and I have always been close. They virtually reared me while Mom worked long hours as a nurse.
After Grandma died, I made it my mission to visit Grampa often.
I brought him homemade lasagna, his favorite, one bright afternoon. I sensed trouble as he opened the door.
“Hey Grampa,” I hugged him enthusiastically. “Are you okay?”
His smile was strong. You know, Claire-bear. Taking it daily.”
While sitting in the living room, I saw a mound of unopened mail on the coffee table.
Grandpa looked exhausted. The man didn’t seem to sleep well.
“I’ve been trying to set a routine for myself,” he remarked, toying with his wedding band. “But it’s hard. The house is empty without your grandma.”
I felt for him.
I know, Grampa. It will take time.”
He nodded, then smiled. “My neighbor Chris told me about a job opening at his grocery store. Thinking about applying as a cashier.”
Arched my eyebrows.
“Really? Is that a good idea? Yes, you are… I paused, afraid to say “old.”
Grampa laughed. “What? Too attractive and young for a boring grocery store job?
It made me laugh.
“All right. If it helps, do it! You’ve always been social. It might be helpful to socialize outside the house.”
His eyes shone.
“That was my thought! Grandmother always thought I needed an audience.”
The day was spent reviewing the job application and rehearsing interview questions. It was nice to see Grampa thrilled again.
After a month, Grampa loved his grocery store job.
I visited him whenever I could, and he always had a humorous client or coworker story.
That day changed everything.
I stopped at the grocery store to visit Grampa on my way home from work. I saw the parking lot was fuller than normal when I entered.
Great, I thought. Grampa will like talking to all these customers.
Was wrong. So wrong.
After entering through the sliding doors, I heard shouting from the checkout area. Curious, I approached and saw it was from Grampa’s checkout desk.
I ran up, pretending to browse the gum exhibit to eavesdrop privately.
My blood boiled when I heard that.
“WHY WORK HERE ANYWAY?” A woman’s harsh scream rang forth. “Your age group should stay home instead of waiting in line. HURRY. UP!”
I glanced around the corner and saw Grampa fretting over a stack of groceries.
He was shouted at by a middle-aged woman with nicely coiffed hair and fashionable sunglasses.
She impatiently tapped her foot, staring at Grampa like he was a shoe scrape.
I was furious but couldn’t charge in. If I caused a scene, my grandpa could lose his sanity-sustaining job.
Pretending to be a regular customer. I grabbed gum and waited behind the unpleasant woman.
I watched Grampa struggle with the old scanner while waiting.
While honking and flashing trouble messages, everything took twice as long.
The woman turned and complained when she saw me behind her.
“Can you believe?” She huffed. WHO HIRE PEOPLE LIKE THIS? HE SHOULD BE IN A NURSING HOME, NOT WASTEING TIME!”
My cheeks were burning with rage, but I stuck to my plan.
“Oh, don’t worry,” I responded, forcing a smile.
“I’ll talk to the manager after you leave. I’ll assure them of your thoughts because I’m not rushed.”
Woman’s eyes sparkled. “Really? Oh, thank heavens someone will act!”
I nodded. “Absolutely. I heard the unfortunate man lost his wife and works here to stay busy. Since he’s not here for the money, he should be easy to fire.”
“Oh… I knew nothing about that. The woman became insecure.
No, you’re right. To save us time in line, he should be imprisoned in a care facility. It’s not worth it?
I could tell she regretted her earlier statement. “Maybe we shouldn’t—”
Cut her off. “You know? We should talk to the manager now. They’ll want to hear from us about this incompetent old man.”
A woman widened her eyes.
No, that’s unnecessary—
“I didn’t catch your name, by the way,” I offered my hand. I’m Claire.
She hesitated to shake. “Paula.”
I looked at Grampa, who was staring at us. Winking at him, I hoped he understood.
Sir, could you summon the manager?
Grampa nodded. “Yes, miss.”
After pressing a register button, the intercom rang: “Manager to checkout three, please.”
Paula shifted like she wanted to run. I had to look away from her to stop giggling.
A polo-shirted woman ran over shortly later. Her nametag read “Linda.”
Why is this problematic? Looking between us, Linda questioned.
I posed as a worried citizen.
“Well, this lady has some feedback about your staff, especially this gentleman.” I pointed to Grampa. “She thinks he’s too slow to work and should be in a nursing home. You might wish to hear her ideas directly.”
Linda nods.
Paula blushed when she realized everyone was watching.
She stammered, “Uh, no, I mean, it’s not that big a deal. Probably trying his best. We should consider this. I wanted to praise the man on his durability.”
Linda frowned. She glanced confusedly from Paula to me to Grampa.
Grampa finished scanning Paula’s purchases and she paid for them. She quickly collected her things and ran out of the business.
What’s with her? Linda asked, rubbing her head. “She complains weekly here. Recently, she seems to like your grandpa.”
I shrugged to cover my grin. I guess we’ll never know.”
Grampa laughed when Linda left.
Claire-bear, little miscreant! I should have known you were up to something.”
He got a high five from me across the counter.
No one gets away with messing with my Grampa.”
“You’re like your grandmother, you know? The girl would have liked this.”
Grampa’s smile warmed my chest. He laughed honestly for the first time since Grandma died that day. The words Paula uttered pained him, but what happened next made him forget them.
That’s how I confronted a woman who was trashing my Grampa.
Sometimes their own medicine is just what the doctor ordered. And who knows? Perhaps Paula will reconsider yelling at another cashier.
Have you ever defended a family member in public?
Inspired by true events and people, this work is fictionalized for creativity. To preserve privacy and enrich the story, names, characters, and facts were changed. Any resemblance to real people, events, or places is unintentional.
The author and publisher neither guarantee event authenticity nor character characterization and are not liable for misinterpretation. While this work is presented “as is,” the characters’ viewpoints do not reflect those of the author or publisher.