Kindness Always Authorized

(I’m working as a cashier when a clearly distraught customer comes into the store.)

Me: “Hi! What can I do for you today?”

Customer: “Do you take checks here?”

Me: “I’m sorry; we don’t.”

(She’s quiet for a few moments, working out something in her head. It’s getting awkward.)

Me: “Is there something I can help you with? What’s going on?”

Customer: “Oh… I’m going through a separation and none of my cards are working at the pump. I’m out of gas and my phone is dead.”

Me: “Well, let’s just give them a try in here. Sometimes the pumps can be temperamental.”

(She hands me three debit cards, all of which show me the message “Not authorized.” I explain this to her.)

Customer: “I don’t understand what’s going on! One of these is my business card! That should work, if anything.”

Me: “Here’s what we can do…”

(I grab one of our phone chargers for the display and pay for it. I then use the change to activate the pump and give her some gas.)

Me: “Here. Take this charger and charge your phone in your car. I’m putting the change in gas to get you home.”

Customer: “But… I don’t know when I can repay you!”

Me: “I’ve been where you are. It’s okay. Just get home and figure out what’s going on. I work here all week.”

(She thanked me, and later that night, came back to repay me. Turned out all of her assets were frozen and her soon-to-be-ex-husband locked her out of her home! Hope she ended up okay!)