Pop (soda)

I am not proud of myself.

I acted like a Karen.

I just left the doctor's office after the annual Medicare checkup.

Rick asked me to pick up some Dr. Pepper for him. 

I stopped at Walmart since I was driving by.  

I picked up a few things, and the pop was so heavy.

Now, that sounds crazy, but with my 2 shoulders barking, it was difficult. 

Reaching, lifting, basically just using my arms, is painful in every way.

On a scale of 1 to 10, my right arm/shoulder, which is the one that they wish to replace, is a 12 on the pain scale. My left is a 6 or 7, just to give you an idea. 

I got the pop into the cart and moved it to an upright position so the barcode would be facing the cashier. 

I did this so I wouldn't have to pick it up again. 

Doing it this way, the cashier could just scan it as they normally do with bigger items.

I put all my things on the conveyor belt. 

I caught the cashier's eye, and I said, "Hello."  

She looked away and didn't say a word. 

I moved the cart so she could reach it easily, and I asked, "Can you scan it from here?"  Knowing full well, they do this for us all the time for big items.

She never smiled. She stared at me and asked me if my arms were broken.

Oh no, she didn't!

Now I am in a lot of pain, and I'm exhausted because I can't sleep with the pain.

I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. 

I said, "No, they are not, but I have a medical issue. I'm sorry, I thought this was part of your job." 

She said Nope, emphatically.  

I picked it up for her, and she stood there with her hand on her hip, staring at me. 

She slowly scanned it and never said thx. 

I said, "You're welcome." 

She said, "I didn't say thank you."  I replied, "I know."

When I was about to leave, she threw the receipt at me.

I caught it and said, "Thank you for the great customer service today, ma'am, have yourself a great day!"  All while smiling, and I know it sounded sincere and not sarcastic. I was trying not to be a snot. She looked perplexed. 

I admit I giggled inside seeing that look on her face. 

She knew she did not deserve it, but by God, I was not going to stoop to her level.

I then just stood for a minute by the customer service desk, thinking I should walk over to the manager. But I didn't take my Karen behavior to that level; I just left.

When I told Rick, he asked who I was, then put his hand on my forehead as if I had a fever. He said, "About time you say something back to that kind of behavior, but you should have gone to the manager." 

Ah, it wouldn't have done anything anyway.

I'm not proud of myself for doing any of this, but man, oh man, was this woman awful.

Rick asked if it felt good. No, no, it didn't, honestly. 

He'd better enjoy that damn pop. 😝