The first run in. in Bittersweet

90% of my work is fun. I hate handling money but the day is otherwise fine. I like being with customers. I like the interaction and being around others. It makes it fun for me.
Tonight was different. We had a shoplifter and the manager asked me to trail. SO i did. I talked to her and watched her drop a few things. She evnetually bought a few things. “forgot her money” and ran to her car where the manager thought she dropped her stolen shit. She came in, bought some candy and then hung out with her boyfriend and another man. Who clothing called in a code for as well. He had a hat and gloves. He eventually put the gloves down and bought the hat. The woman also was with a boyfriend and they came down my line a bit later. He bought rat traps, candy and some other random shit. They hung out another hour or so and eventually left. The manager said all three are known shoplifters and work as a team. never SAW her take anything and i was on her. But they were pretty sure they got things. So then it was super quiet for a while till clothing called another code. This one was… eventful. I folded some clothes , then she told me to not to let the man out of my sight. I saw him put something in his pocket. He went around a corner and when i got around it ( i ran btu was cut off by another customer) the manager and clothing had him cornered. He was wearing the shoes and had his old ones in the box. He also had flash lights and a few other things. He was yelled at and yelled back and then escorted out. By that time we had our long standing and most faithful customer who is in 2-3 times a day, ex military man and his doggo. Anyway when manager M, a smaller woman who is about 5 ft 3 and older. Anyway when he left. He hung out in the parking lot and then there was a car parked in our lot. So we all made sure that we walked out together. The manager was nervous and the two cashiers, myself and a 20 year old kid. Who LOOKS like shes 15. We were really nervous that there was someone who was going to come after us. We park at the back of the lots so we had to clear it all. The one man on shift left right at 8. It took us another 15 minutes to get out. Normally e have sporting goods on shift and they wait and walk the managers out, but one is out. So we were short handed. So it was just us three woman at the end. Thankfully when we walked out together, the car had left. We were about ready to call for some men, T or Managers spouse too. They were both 10 minutes away. But we didnt wait. Seeing the car was gone, but we all had our utility knives out and the kid had pepper spray and phones in hand. We were so nervous. Have to remember now we are in a city and not the country. And people do and will do shit.

We had some other things. Like the kid on today is 20. She looks 14. Ive been asked if shes my kid. She looks young. Hell im old enough to be her mother haha. But shes mousy and young. Some asshat in his 40s told her i bet you are prettier without your mask. WTF are you KIDDING me!! She said she didnt know what to said. I said you say to fuck off and refuse to check him out and ask someone else to do it. Its harassment. And she shouldent have to put up with that. She didnt respond and finished checking. She also said some old man slipped her his number and asked her to call him. Shes all im not flattered. No its rude. People are nothing but respectful to me. But im obviously a mid 30s woman. Shes a 20 year old kid who looks 14.

Speaking of kids, we had a 17 yo girl on today. shes pretty. and skinny and biked to work. It made me so nervous she refused hard core to let me or anyone else drive her home. She didnt want to leave her bike. But it can fit in my car. She took off and didnt get a ride. I wished she would have let someone take her home. It just makes me so scared especially with that shoplifter. But shes 17 and nothing can touch her. I sure hope not. im fine with taking the kids home.

Sigh. Just a lot sometimes.

T says that i write this stuff all down is cute. He says when i loose my mind, he can tell me stories of work. lol.