What A Niece Thing To Do

(It is back-to-school time and I am working in the kids’ section of a major retailer, when a woman approaches the register with an armful of girls’ clothes.)

Customer: “I need to ring these up in batches, because I’m on a tight budget.”

Me: “No problem! It’s hard when the kids are going back to school and need new clothes.”

Customer: “Well… These are for my niece. My brother was laid off, and he can’t afford to buy her school clothes, so I want to help them.”

Me: “Oh, that’s wonderful!”

(I finished ringing in all the clothes, a few at a time, and talked with a coworker to figure out the best discount we would be able to give. She only had to put one outfit back, and left happy. A little girl in a tough situation got new clothes, and I got reminded that sometimes the customer is all right.)