Checking Out, Mr. Right
Leah Negron
Why can’t they understand that I’m just doing my job? I don’t make the rules, but if I want to keep my job, I have to follow them.
It’s finally close to the end of my shift when the customer I am taking care of, blows up at me. On the verge of tears from a horrid day, I hear a voice that curls my toes with its smoothness. Glancing at the gentleman that’s next in line, my jaw drops open. Even with the mask on, his handsome features shine through. He has the bluest eyes that I have ever seen with dark wavy hair that I want to run my fingers through.
Can I find love during the pandemic, while I am checking out Mr. Right? — Checking Out, Mr. Right
Checking Out, Mr. Right
Chapter 1
“Ma’am, I’m sorry, but you can only have one of each of the paper products that are in your cart. There were also signs back in the meat department, letting you know that the meats are limited to two items each. Some of what you have in your cart has to go back.”
Looking at this woman, I know it’s going to be at least the sixth person who has gone off on me today. Why can’t they understand that I do not own the store, I do not make the rules, but I do have to follow them if I want to keep my job.
“What do you mean I have to return items that are in my cart? I have a large family, and we need everything that I have in here. Who the hell are you to tell me that I can’t buy what I need? Get your manager over here. I want to file a complaint against you.”
“Yes, Ma’am, but my manager is going to tell you the same thing.” Turning my back on her, I pick up the phone for the intercom and page David to the front end. Turning back to the furious woman, I stand there with my arms crossed against my chest, then I lean against the counter, smiling at this woman even though in my head I’m screaming at her. It only takes a moment for David to appear.
“Nicole, what can I help you with?”
Before I can even open my mouth, the customer starts in with her tirade. “Sir, I don’t know who this young woman thinks she is, but she’s been trying to make me return things out of my cart. I need everything that I have and then some. It’s bad enough that your shelves aren’t stocked very well, so there is no way she is going to make me put back what groceries I do have!”
“Ma’am, I’m sorry you feel this way. As for our shelves, we are packing everything out just as fast as we can. You do know that we are in the middle of a pandemic, and it’s very hard to get supplies right now. As for the things in your cart, if you are over the limits that are clearly marked all over the store, you will have to return items. If you don’t wish to return them, I can have one of the employees return them for you. Until the supply and demand are under control, you’re going to find that all stores are limiting customers until further notice.”
“Well, I never! This is just ridiculous. How am I supposed to feed my family if you insist on taking groceries away from me?”
“Ma’am, we are trying to make sure that everyone gets a chance to purchase at least some items. If we let everyone that comes in first take everything that they want, then there will be others who will suffer and have to do without. This isn’t my policy, it’s the company’s policy, and we have to uphold it.”
Without another word, the woman shoved her cart right into David and stormed out of the store, yelling profanities that had customers looking to see what was going on. I just wanted to get through the day then go home.
“I’m so sorry, David. I tried to explain the limits to her as professionally as I could; she just didn’t want to hear it.”
The customers that had been in line behind her all spoke up, letting him know how rude and obnoxious the woman had been behaving.
“Nicole, don’t worry about it, I know this wasn’t your fault. Thank you all for taking up for her. Nicole here is one of our best employees. She will take good care of all of you. I’m going to go make another announcement about the restricted items. Hopefully, some will listen this time.”
I watched as David made a beeline for his office to make the announcement. Turning back to the register, I quickly took care of the next five customers, then asked the next one to put the closed sign behind her.
After taking care of my last customer, I quickly disinfected my register and the conveyor belt. Once that was done, I hustled to the time clock and punched out. Now it’s my turn to see what I can get for dinner tonight. Since it’s just me at home, I’ve only been buying what I need to get me from day to day.
I haven’t had a day off in almost seven weeks. Some of the employees have gotten sick, and a few have even passed away because of this damn virus. So, every single day is the same. Get up, come to work, get bitched at, punch out, shop, go home, eat, and then pass out. Can you say ‘Ground Hog Day from hell?’ I don’t see how Bill Murray even stood to act the same day over and over again. It’s all I can do to cope with living it.
Chapter 2
Finally, home, I put away the little bit of groceries that I was able to buy. Deciding against eating right away, I make my way to the bathroom. The stress is really starting to get to me. It’s time to do a little something for myself. Letting the water run until it’s almost hotter than I can stand it, the tub starts to fill.
Making my way into the bedroom, I grab a clean nightgown and my Kindle. Nothing relaxes me more than a long soak in the tub and reading a great book. Hanging up the nightgown, I turn on my Kindle to see which book I want to read. That’s right, one of my favorite authors just released a new book the other day. I pre-ordered it last month when he announced the link was live.
As soon as the Kindle fires up, it’s the first book I see, Suspension’s Reward by Lucas X. Black. It’s a good thing that he has no clue who I am or what many of his books have had me doing late at night after reading them. Then again, his bio says he is a real Dom who lives in Texas. I wouldn’t be afraid to take bets that I’m not the only woman to flick her skittle once she has read his books.
Stripping out of my grungy work clothes, I sink deep into the claw tooth tub. The smell of lilacs and peaches reaches my nose. Breathing in deeply of the intoxicating scent settles my nerves.
I quickly read the blurb, ‘Matt Thompson takes a phone call from Nora Horton, principal of his son’s elementary school, reporting that his son, Jeremy, is suspended for fighting. Jeremy asserts to Matt that he was protecting his friend Tim from a bully, an older and bigger kid. Upset with Nora Horton and the stupidity of zero-tolerance policies, he believes Jeremy but feels as though his hands are tied.
He fields a second call from Horton the next day, asking him to come and meet with her after hours, and reluctantly agrees, still furious with Horton. She reports to him that she was reliably told by an array of students and at least two teachers that Jeremy was telling the truth, indeed protecting his friend Tim, who has a prosthetic leg, from being mugged by the other boy. Matt isn’t entirely mollified, but Horton sends her secretary home, then tells him she will make amends, giving her surrender.’ Yes, this is definitely the book I want to read today.