No one is perfect and absolutely everyone  makes mistakes. I used to go to the dollar store five blocks away from my house all the time. I bought a majority of household, hygiene, and personal supplies along with food. I would go in that store for daily items three to four times a week. On Halloween night my son left his sippy cup at his grandmother's house so I walked him in the store after a long night just as it was about to close. I pushed the stroller as quickly as possible looking for the cheapest thing my son could drink out of for the night until I got his original cup the next day.

The girl at the cashier was very impatient with wanting to lock up the store after possibly a long day, and I'm sure my son crying of thirst and sleep didn't add to the situation. I didn't have that much money with me. I was a quarter and the tax short to buy a plastic pink bottle that my son was way past my sons developmental stage. The cashier who I always casually spoke with on any given day looked down upon me as I counted the change. She knew the time. She knew I didn't have enough. She knew me as a regular, and yet, she did not let me purchase it.  Anger filled my veins but before I said something I'd regret another woman came in to grab a drink right by cash register and handed me the money I needed. I scowled at the worker before thanking the other woman and quickly got my son back home.

A few days later I wanted to doctor the store abd pick up a few things, but I didn't want to see that sane cashier girl.  My adrenaline hadn't been anywhere near as bad as that night, but still. I continued to shop as if nothing happened. I seen a Mickey Mouse shirt that was exactly my sons size, and there was only one left. I didn't bring any extra money aside from what I needed to purchase. Besides its not like the worker would have let me slide a few dollars after what she says the night before. So I took the shirt off the hanger and folded it up before stuffing it in my purse.  After checking out and grabbing my purchased bags u headed for the door before the alarms went off.  I told the girl that maybe one of the items didn't scan correctly,  but she insisted on going through my purse. she found the shirt hiding at the bottom of my purse.

She told me to wait there as she went to grab her phone. I thought she was going to call the cops on me and have me arrested. I thought about just running right out of there but instead she took my picture. She told me she would alert the manager in the morning and that I was not allowed back in the store. I got out of there so fast before she changed her mind and decided to have me prosecuted.  Not to mention I had stolen like five small candles on top of it that she didn't notice.

Two days later I had came into some money I wasn't expecting. So I decided to do the mature thing, which was to go back to the store and speak with the manager. I hadn't seen the girl who caught me, and the other workers didn't seem to care when I walked in. I went up to the register and asked directly for the person in charge. A few minutes later a heavy set  man came from the back wearing the same bright red shirt and tan pants like everyone else.

I told him my name and explained the situation between me and the female worker starting from the beginning when she refused to let me go a few coins over a baby cup my so. desperately needed. I explained how im a regular customer who lives incredibly close here. I finally admitted what I did was wrong. I pulled out a ten dollar bill. I told him I did not want the shirt that cost only five dollars. I just wanted to give him the money and inconvenience fee and hope he could let me back I the store. The manager was the only one who had his name Charlie one on his shirt.

He looked down at the money then back at me. "We have a very strict policy that once you steal your are banned from this store. However I've never had a shoplifter come back with money and an apology." I still held the money in my hand for a few more minutes before he finally took it out of my hand.


"I'm going to let you come back into this store to do your shopping but I will be looking very closely at those cameras to make sure an incident like this does not happen again."

"I understand Sir, thank you."

"I promise you will not be allowed back in here if any of my workers report you doing anything illegal in here."

Without saying another word I turned around and headed back out the store. I thought about grabbing the Mickey Mouse shirt for my little one but it was no longer there. Figures...

About 7 months went by before I thought about going back into that store. I just didn't feel the need to buy anything from there. Mikey came to sleep at my house and wanted to go to the dollar store. I only worried about seeing that girl. Michael hadn't been long in the store, and even though I should have expected it, there were no problems. So after that, for the rest of the week I went back to the store everyday for the rest of that week.

It wasn't until about another week later when I walked I side with a list full of groceries When I'd seen that girl who working who I actuality hadn't physically seen her since the day she caught me shoplifting and kicked me out. When I went to the counter she looked me right in the eyes and told me that I wasn't supposed to be in there.

"Actuality I am  allowed to be in here. I spoke the manager Charlie several months ago to straighten it all out. I just haven't been in here."

The girl continued to scan the items and throw them in the thin plastic bags.

"Charlie no longer works here, and Im the new manager of the store. He never said anything to me I all the time he worked here, and forgive me if I don't take your word for it."

"Haven't you ever made a mistake?"

"Yes, but what you did was not a mistake, it was an action that is now a consequence. Your total is 21.78."

I hadn't her the money knowing there was no reasoning or use in fighting with her. Instead I collected my bags and held my tongue. "I hope you got everything you need because you are not welcomed back into this store. I will personally make sure you are arrested, as you should have been the first time I caught you shoplifting."

As I made sure the bags were securely wrapped around my hands, I took my free right hand and used my middle finger to push the sunglasses up more to my face. I clearly flipped her off as a line was now forming at the register and they all got a glimpse of my clear expression by polite telling the rude cashier to go FUCK herself. I didn't realize by giving the manager almost 8 months ago would have resulted in the same outcome.

Still, I had went a majority of the year not going into that store so it could mean no difference being that i just got kicked out again.. it is what it is, but I promise no dollar store is worth dealing with any douche bag.