Stolen Groceries

Salad, chicken strips, and refill two gallons of water. I’m a heavy drinker. On my way to work, in a hurry per usual, I pick up a few provisions. The receipt didn’t print, unusual, but there was a paper refill on top of my self-checkout printer, so I assume that’s the reason for no receipt — out of paper.

 

Talking to myself: I bet I could change that real quick for these overworked employees. But I didn’t. Refilling water, I head to the Village.

 

Probably an hour into the day I check emails. There is this from my bank:

 

“Your debit card was declined due to wrong PIN number.”

 

But what???

 

Yep.

 

I stole groceries.

 

Mortified I call Albertsons.

 

“Hi this is blah blah blah.”

 

Describing in detail what happened, because I’m a storyteller, the nice patient gentleman on the other end tells me they can’t take my card over the phone. Additionally, he tells me because of my honesty I don’t have to pay for the groceries.

 

WHAT??

 

I feel terrible almost wanting him to charge me double.

 

I thank him. Repeatedly. And again, he thanks me for my honesty.

 

I share with him about one of their employees who found my phone, debit card and cash a while back, how the gentleman didn’t have to turn everything into the office, but he did. I rewarded him for his honesty.

 

Ding, ding, ding.

 

Mr. Albertsons, smiling (I can hear it in his voice), tells me, “See? We get back what we give, that’s what life is about.”

A mix of emotions gets me in the feels: smiles, gratefulness, and maybe a little teary eyed.

 

It’s the little things.

 

(I sent the story to my daughter. Her reply: "We definitely reap what we sow. And around your parts that’s like 16288346272 dollars 🤣 ."…made me smile…she’s not wrong.)

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