“What do you mean you can’t use this coupon? It only expired a day ago!” yelled the older woman across the register.
Elara sighed, relieved she only had another hour left before the store would be closed, and she could go home. “Ma’am, I am sorry but the computer literally will not allow me to ring up an expired coupon, and that coupon expired 6 months ago,” she stated calmly.
“I have had no issues with using expired coupons here before and I am a loyal customer! How dare you! I demand to speak to your manager at once!” yelled the older woman, spit unintentionally flying out of her mouth towards Elara.
“Manager at register 6 please”. Elara stated on the overhead, doing her best to not show her annoyance. Elara knew the manager, Benedict, would just tell her the same thing she said.
She had not been here very long, but since starting here compared to her previous grocery store experience, she found the customers were far more entitled than she’d have expected from a small-town grocery store.
After a few horrendously long minutes of the older woman glaring at Elara, a lean, tan younger male with a simple blue button-down shirt and jeans finally walked up to register 6.
At the sight of him, the older woman instantly changed her demeanor. “Hello ma’am, what seems to be the issue?” he asked politely.
“Yes, so, Elara here, refuses to honor my coupon. I am a loyal customer at Living Bread, been since I was a child, and never have encountered this much disrespect from an employee! I have to say, this has so far been my worst shopping experience in all my 60 years of livin”. Benedict did his best, but he couldn’t help his annoyance.
“I am so so sorry to hear that, may I see your coupon? I’ll get this straightened out for you right away.” The older woman handed over the coupon for examination while Elara fidgeted with the ends of her sleeves, anxiously waiting for the confrontation to end and hoping Benedict would take her side.
“You best give me a discount on my groceries too given all this unnecessary hassle. The girl could have easily just honored my coupon from the start, without having wasted either of our times!” she said angrily.
Benedict wondered if this was the same lady his brother-in-law complained about who would harass the daytime employees over expired coupons. He had not known Elara long but he had known her to be very diligent and had nothing to gain from denying the older woman her buy one get two free bags of Doritos.
“Ma’am, this coupon is from the Superbowl ad we had 6 months ago. We can’t accept this”. Benedict stated after checking the date on the coupon.
“But I am a loyal customer!” the older woman argued.
Benedict sighed, knowing if it had been his brother-in-law, he would have insisted on letting the woman leave with her two free bags of Doritos.
However, though it seemed simple, it felt far too wrong to Benedict. He could not bear the thought of letting this rude, entitled customer get away with such blatant lying and disrespect towards himself and Elara.
“Loyal or not, store policy prevents me from using an expired coupon, as I am certain Elara has already stated. If you want the other two bags of Doritos, you will have to pay the full price or wait until they are on sale again.” He stated firmly.
Elara looked relieved, though still anxious from the older woman glaring at her, as though it was her fault her coupon had expired, and for once she had a manager who didn’t let customers walk over him.
“Well screw you all! I am never coming back here again, you are losing a valuable customer and you will regret this! I am writing a review!” the older woman exclaimed, leaving her cart of groceries at the register and stomping out of the store. Benedict rolled his eyes, knowing she would be back. It was the only grocery store within the town, and the next closest store being a Walmart was an hour out.
“Of Course, an hour before we close she leaves her cart of groceries over two bags of Doritos.” Elara mumbled grumpily to herself, running her fingers through the front of her hair.
Given how quiet Elara usually was, Benedict was surprised to hear her openly complain about a rude customer in front of him, but also relieved. He hoped that meant she felt more comfortable around him and at the store in general.
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Benedict had been about to respond when the guy who had waited behind the older woman spoke up “Excuse me, are you finally ready to do your jobs and check my groceries out? I have got two items, TWO, and you couldn't have had her wait aside and checked me out first? Ridiculous. “ He mumbled moving past the older woman’s cart and placing a gallon of milk and carton of eggs on the belt.
Benedict sighed, it had been busy all day, and due to callouts only the courtesy clerk Thomas had been given a break. He knew Elara was probably exhausted.
“Elara, I’ll take care of this. Why don’t you go on lunch,” he said. “Thanks, I’ll be back in 30.” Elara thanked him quietly and logged out on the register.
As she walked away Benedict called out “You haven’t taken any breaks yet, right?” Elara shook her head no. “Don’t clock out then. Take your lunch paid today,” he said.
Benedict knew his brother-in-law would not approve, but Elara had been one of the few employees that actually showed up to work on time, and never called out.
It was one of the many things he found himself admiring about her. It was funny too, because though she did not know it, his brother-in-law never hired her on with the intention of her being a permanent employee, but Benedict found himself wanting to do whatever it took to ensure she would be.
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After Elara’s lunch, she had been feeling much better. She usually prided herself on being able to work long periods without a break but today, she very much needed it.
Though she did not eat, just being away from the customers, and well, everyone, was exactly what she needed. The remaining half hour of her shift went by quickly, but as usual, she and Benedict ended up staying an extra hour to get the store ready for the morning.
Elara did not mind this though, she found herself enjoying working with Benedict and Thomas, and it was much easier to clean the store up and face when no customers were present.
Thomas left, having his older sister Marlene pick him up. Elara had a car, but she walked given she was not terribly far, and figured she could save a bit on gas. Not to mention, compared to the city she was from, she felt a lot safer doing so. She could enjoy the night sky and the soft breeze after a long shift at work. Elara rather enjoyed it.
“You always walk home, Elara?” Benedict asked as they exited the store and locked the doors.
“Usually, yeah. Do you?” Benedict shook his head.
“Sometimes but I drove today. I could give you a ride if you wanted? No pressure tho.” He could have kicked himself after realizing how creepy that might’ve come off. He had not talked to her an awful lot, but he wanted to.
Usually, Elara would have said no, and most definitely would have if it was anyone else, but she really liked and admired Benedict. Not that she would ever tell him this.
Benedict was one of the first managers true to his word, he was honest, hard-working, and did not ask others to do what he couldn’t.
Not to mention she had overheard other associates talk of him standing up for them the way he did for her today, which she highly respected him for.
It did not help that she also found herself rather attracted to his gorgeous hazel eyes, chocolate brown hair, or the way he carried himself overall. She blushed at the realization. “Yeah, that would be nice, thanks,” she said.
Benedict gave her a crooked smile, which Elara found endearing. “Great! I drive the silver Corolla over there. Man, the customers today were just awful. You handled them well though. You definitely keep your composure better than most for sure.” Benedict said, attempting to start a conversation with her as he led her to his vehicle.
“Yeah, I don’t know how you deal with it so well honestly. Though I guess you're probably used to it. I kinda thought people here would’ve been more polite, given it’s such an isolated small town and all.” Elara said, getting into the passenger side. “I have to, but I have never worked or lived outside of this town. Been here my whole life. What city are you from?” Benedict asks as he starts driving out of the parking lot.
He of course knew she was from Denver which he memorized from her resume, but he didn’t want to come off as creepy. “Denver. Far from here, but as much as the customers are awful, it feels like it’s so much easier to breathe out here. Even the air feels nicer. I can’t imagine what it would be like growing up in such a small town my whole life” Elara said looking out the window.
“Oh also, um just turn left at Woodridge Drive and then right. I’m just the yellow house at the cul-de-sac.” Benedict nodded as he turned left following her directions. “I mean, I think it’s nice. It helps that it's not that small of a town at least compared to what I have heard of other small towns, though I’m sure it’s still nothing like Denver. What brought you out here?” he asked.
“Oh, just, had some family stuff come up and I needed a change of scenery. The rent here is more affordable too, and my landlord is much nicer,” she said, not wanting to mention her mother's recent passing, which she had been trying hard to not think about.
Benedict pulls up in front of the yellow house in the cul-de-sac. “That’s my stop, um, thanks for the ride also Benedict”. Elara unbuckled her seatbelt.
“I don’t mind, gives me an excuse to talk to you more. Also you don’t have to call me Benedict, you can just call me Ben,” he said as he got out of the car to walk her to the door.
“Well, thanks again Ben, see you tomorrow?” Elara asked.
“Yeah, see you tomorrow,” Ben said, watching her disappear inside the yellow house.
He sighed, wishing she lived farther away so he could have stolen more time with her. As Ben returned to his car, his thoughts began to spin with ideas of how he could interact with her more.
Maybe he could schedule their breaks together or surprise her with coffee as a reward for her hard work.
He’d had these thoughts before—small fantasies, really—but after today, they were harder to push away. He wanted more of her.
But then, reality crept back in. He couldn’t forget what the next few months held. He had to find a replacement for Elara. Soon. Her time was running out, and she didn’t even know it. His family had chosen her for a reason—she fit their criteria perfectly. And yet, with every smile, every conversation, Ben found himself more conflicted.
He shook his head, gripping the steering wheel as he drove home. He would have to figure it out. The Cena Sacra had to go forward. But as for Elara, maybe there was a way to save her.
He wasn’t ready to let her go. Not yet.