Unfiltered Story #421692

*I was at work when this woman comes up looking frazzled. Security and other workers had been following her because she was looking and acting suspicious. I didn’t realize this at the time though. All I know is that she is upset and fighting tears as she is trying to buy shoes from me and is clutching some papers tightly.*

Me: “Ma’am…are you alright?”

Customer: “I…yes…and no… Last night my husband beat me up and I called the police on him. I have an appointment at the courthouse in an hour to give my testimony so I can get a restraining order. But my shoes fell apart and he cut off all the cards, so I’m waiting for one of my friends to get back to me and send me some money so I can go to the courthouse not in bare feet and…”

*She starts crying and I notice all of the bruises on her. I asked her if she would like a hug, she said yes, so I did. Finally the money comes through so she could get a pair of flip-flops (Our cheapest shoe).*

Me: *After she finished paying* “Ma’am, may I say something?”

Customer: *Sniffling* “Sure.”

Me: “Do not back down. You were strong enough to call the police and go to court. You know that what happened to you was wrong. There is a song I always listen to whenever I go through a break-up. The chorus is: ‘You need that boy, like a bowling ball, dropped on your head, which means not at all. You have to much to give, to live, to waste your time on him’. And it’s true. He doesn’t deserve you, and you do not deserve what he did.”

*She started crying and asked for another hug, thanked me and left. One of my corworkers who had been following her comes up.*

Coworker: “She was acting suspicious the entire time she was here. Did she pay for the shoes?”

Me: “Yes, she did. And she acted that way because she’s terrified. She’s a survivor of domestic abuse.”

Coworker: “I…oh…”