Smack It Away!
In her car, the angry mother stared out the window. Twenty minutes had passed since she parked at Starbucks. Someone caught her eye.
She watched as the girl smiled at each passing car. She muttered under her breath, "A fake smile and person."
She wished she could smack that pretty smile away.
Unexpected Turn
Having a busy schedule as a 30-year-old mother of two living in Miami, Florida, Cheri Markhams had a lot on her plate. In addition to her part-time administrative work, her husband, Jason, also worked as a contractor at the same time.
Even though times were tough, they managed to get by.
Cheri had no idea that her life would take an unexpected turn.
Not Adding Up
Cheri found a receipt in Jason's pocket one day while doing laundry. On his way to work, he often grabbed two coffees from Starbucks.
The service charge included something extra that she wasn't sure about.
It would be necessary to compare it later with the credit card start.
Coffee Run
Something caught her eye this time, and she needed to double-check. In addition to the receipt she found, the credit card had a separate Starbucks charge. There was a discrepancy between the dates.
Cheri couldn't help but wonder why her husband was suddenly so generous, and she felt doubt creep into her mind.
He was with someone, wasn't he?
Pretty Waitress
Cheri couldn't shake the feeling and visited the Starbucks branch where Jason often visited.
Jenna, a young and pretty waitress working at the drive-thru window, immediately caught her eye as she walked in.
A worst-case scenario entered Cheri's mind: her husband flirting with this attractive employee.
Hard-earned Money
There was evidence that Jason had been tipping Jenna extra amounts. Cheri was curious and concerned as she wondered why her husband would be so generous.
Cheri intended to confront Jason regarding the receipt and the tips. How did he feel about Jenna?
What was the purpose of giving their hard-earned money to a stranger?
Tell The Truth
That evening, when Jason returned home, Cheri wanted to confront him about the receipt and her concerns.
But then she didn’t want to just accuse him of something if there wasn’t any evidence.
She needed to find out more about Jenna and what she and her husband had been getting up to behind her back.
So Fake!
Cheri returned to Starbucks and approached Jenna's drive-thru window, determined to discover the truth. The first thing she did was watch her. “That's so fake! ” she said before she banged her steering wheel.
What kind of stranger could cause her so many problems?
After gathering up her courage, she confronted the waitress.
Eroded Trust
While Cheri stared at the Starbucks branch in front of her, she tightly gripped the steering wheel with both hands. Angry and anxious feelings filled her veins, and she could feel her heart pounding as she stood there.
The receipt in Jason's pocket exposed a secret she never expected, and she couldn't get rid of it.
Her trust in him had eroded.
Wanting Answers
Cheri took a deep breath and got out of the car, determined to confront Jenna and get her answers.
As she approached the window of the drive-thru, her mind started to race with all the possibilities and scenarios.
What if he was having an affair? Spending all their hard-earned money on someone else?
Can I Help You?
Her own footsteps echoed in her ear as she approached, her heart pounding a mile a minute and getting louder with each beat.
Jenna turned and smiled politely, not recognizing the woman who had been watching her.
"How can I help you, ma'am?" Jenna asked, her voice professional and friendly.
We Need To Talk
She struggled to maintain her composure, her voice wavering as she finally spoke to Jenna. "I need to talk to you." she uttered, eyes meeting Jenna's.
The young woman's smile faltered slightly, noting the urgency in Cheri's voice.
"Of course, ma'am. How can I help?" there was no going back, no second guesses. Cheri had her where she wanted her.
Big Tipper
Cheri leaned in close and dropped her voice to a more hushed tone, "My husband has been tipping you more than usual. Excessive amounts, as well. Why is that?"
Jenna's eyes were wide, almost popping out of her skull, "Your husband? I don't understand?"
Cheri became irritated then, it was like she was trying to play dumb.
Just An Employee
Cheri grew frustrated more than ever, "Yes, Jason, my husband. He has become somewhat of a regular here suddenly, and leaving you generous tips. Why?"
Jenna's expression shifted to a mix between confusion and concern.
"Ma'am, I get tips from a lot of people everyday. I don't know why he's doing that, I'm just an employee here, doing my job to pay my bills."
Was She Jumping The Gun?
Her mind raced at Jenna's words. Was she telling the truth? What was the other explanation, then?
She studied the girl's face, looking for even the slightest bit of guilt or deception. But she saw only anger and embarrassment.
Cheri realized she might have jumped the gun, that possibly Jenna was innocent. Her anger lessened, replaced by shame and guilt.
Regret
"I'm sorry," Cheri stammered out, near to the brink of tears. She felt embarrassed and regretful.
"I shouldn't have assumed without knowing the facts. I just...I found a receipt in his pocket and I..."
"I'm busy, ma'am. I have customers waiting, if you don't mind..." Jenna looked at her, blurting the words. Cheri left then, but the nagging feeling in her mind did not.
Vague And Evasive
Cheri felt like Jenna had been vague and evasive, prompting the woman to once again think that she was hiding something. She remembered how her eyes widened when she mentioned her husband's name.
She must have hit a nerve, nothing else could explain her reactions. That wasn't normal, and Cheri decided she was not done.
She'd confront her husband and take it from there, depending on what he said.
Conflicting Emotions
As Cheri drove home she thought of everything, her suspicions and her emotions. She had to confront Jason, otherwise she might never get the answers she needed.
She'd ask about the receipt and the tips, no matter how painful the truth might be.
When she finally got home, the house was eerily silent. The kids weren't home from school, which gave Cheri the perfect opportunity to talk with her husband privately.
Lost In Thought
Cheri found her husband in their bedroom, perched on the edge of their bed with his head in his hands, lost deepin thought. His face was the picture of surprise when he saw her.
"Hey baby, what's up? How was your day?" he asked, his voice not containing even the slightest hint of guilt.
Cheri wondered why he was sitting here, alone. What was he thinking about?
Caught Off Guard
She closed the door behind her, bathing the room in a shadow. Her voice remained calm, but it took on an edge of determination.
"We need to talk, and I want your complete honesty. I found a receipt in your pocket today, and there was something strange about it."
His eyes flitted over the room, his expression filled with unease but surprised nonetheless. However, the determining guilt all over his face was a dead give away.
Don’t Lie To Me
"What on earth are you talking about?" he asked, his voice faltering. Cheri stepped closer, her eyes never leaving his.
"Don't even lie to me, Jason. I saw that you've been tipping that waitress—excessive amounts, might I add. What's going on between you?"
Jason's face drained of color. Beads of sweat dotted his brow and forehead.
Struggling To Find The Words
Jason stumbled over his words, struggling to come up with whatever it is he wanted to say.
Cheri looked at him, saw him struggling.
And then he spoke, "Yes, it is extra. But it's because she's friendly and a sweet person. It also looks like she goes to college, so I thought the extra tip could help her."
Angry
"Why is that a concern of yours? You have two of your own kids that need taken care of?" Cheri said angrily, feeling it boil over.
Jason looked down and apologized, sheepish. He apologized, and he promised it would never happen again—but Cheri wasn't convinced.
Something was still amiss.
Still Not Convinced
Cheri wasn't sure that she believed Jason. It did sound like something he would do, but she still had an uneasiness that would not leave her.
Just the fact that both Jenna and Jason had seemed nervous when she brought up the issue.
She wasn't born yesterday, she could easily figure out that something wasn't right.
Not Me
Cheri confronted Jenna, the alleged culprit, at Starbucks instead of letting the matter rest.
Her heart raced as she approached the drive-thru window.
Cheri confronted Jenna directly, accusing her of stealing her credit card information and adding a $10 tip to Jason's regular coffee run each time.
Facing Her
After taking a deep breath, Cheri opened the car door and marched towards the drive-thru.
As she approached, she felt tension building inside her.
With a surprised expression, Jenna, the young waitress she suspected of foul play, looked up from the cash register.
Jenna?
Cheri's voice was steely as she confronted Jenna again. "Jenna?" Jenna nodded hesitantly, her eyes widening with recognition. "Y-yes? Can I help you?"
Cheri leaned closer to the window, her voice laced with accusation.
"I’m here to ask about that receipt in my husband's pocket again. I looked at it again and something just doesn’t make sense about it.”
Extra Tips
Her hands fidgeted with the cash register drawer as her eyes darted nervously. My apologies, ma'am. I have no idea what you're talking about." Cheri's eyes narrowed as she grew angrier.
She said, "I know what you've been doing. You're stealing from me.".
Her face paled, and she stammered, "I didn't mean to. It was just... extra tips."
Legal Action
With anger, Cheri raised her voice. “Extra tips? You gave yourself $10 tips every time my husband ordered his coffee, thinking he wouldn't notice. How dare you?"
"Please, ma'am, do not take legal action against me. I was just trying to make ends meet. I didn't think anyone would find out."
Jenna's voice quivered as she pleaded.
How Could You?
Cheri's anger surged, and her sense of justice overwhelmed any sympathy she may have felt.
“Jenna, you have crossed a line. I will not let you get away with stealing just because times are tough."
Jenna confessed to Cheri that she had been stealing from her every time Jason visited her by adding a $10 tip to her account.
Deceitful Behavior
Cheri stormed into Starbucks without another word, demanding to speak to the manager. While Cheri recounted her discovery and confronted Jenna's deceitful behavior, the manager, a middle-aged man named Mr. Anderson, seemed concerned.
Mr. Anderson's voice was grave as he said, "I am appalled by Jenna's behavior."
He promised to investigate immediately and terminate Jenna if her actions were as they had been described to them.
I Won’t Do It Again
Despite her unwavering determination, Cheri nodded. Thanks, Mr. Anderson. But this can't end here. People need to know they can be robbed even when getting coffee. I want to post a warning on the internet."
“I'm going to die; my mother will kill me!" Jenna cried in agony. "I will not do it to anyone else."
But Mr. Anderson told Jenna, "You have done enough."
She Stole $240
Anderson accepted Cheri's request because he understood the gravity of the situation. Their detailed account emphasized the importance of staying vigilant with credit cards.
Having heard what she had done, Jenna sat there listening. Over a month, she stole $240 from them.
Her regret was deep; she never expected to get caught for such a small amount.
Gained Traction
Cheri wanted to prevent the same thing from happening to others, so she shared the Starbucks branch's issue. It is always the customer who is right.
Sharing the story online quickly gained traction, serving as a cautionary tale for others.
The online community praised Cheri's courage in confronting the dishonest waitress.
Suspended
Jenna was suspended from Starbucks, and the incident served as a stark reminder to others in similar positions of trust.
They checked surveillance footage, and she was found doing the same thing to another customer. Cheri's actions had consequences beyond her own personal situation.
The Starbucks management took the incident seriously and implemented stricter protocols to prevent such thefts in the future.
Still Suspicious
But Cheri couldn’t help but still be suspicious of her husband, Jason. Why had Jenna targeted him specifically, and was it just theft or something else entirely?
Was Jason hiding something from her after all? There was only one way to find out. She needed to make sure that there wasn't something else going on.
Doubt and Darkness
Cheri couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that something more sinister was at play. Despite Jenna's confession and the resolution at Starbucks, Cheri couldn't shake off the sense of betrayal.
Late one night, after their children were asleep, Cheri mustered the courage to confront Jason. She found him sitting in their dimly lit living room, engrossed in his phone.
His expression quickly shifted from surprise to concern as Cheri approached him.
We Need To Talk
"Jason, we need to talk," she said, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and determination.
Jason looked up, his eyes filled with worry. "What's wrong, Cheri? Is everything okay?"
Cheri took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "I need to know the truth, Jason. About you and Jenna." Jason’s heart began to race.
More To The Story?
Jason's eyes widened, and a flicker of guilt passed over his face. "What are you talking about? There's nothing between me and Jenna. I told you, she was just stealing from us."
Cheri hesitated, her mind racing. Could she trust Jason's words? Her intuition told her there was more to the story, that he was hiding something.
She needed to uncover the truth.
Feeling Unsure
Cheri took a seat next to Jason, her gaze fixed on his face. "I've been feeling so unsure lately, Jason. That Starbucks incident... it just doesn't add up. Why did Jenna target you specifically? Why did she feel comfortable stealing from us?"
Jason's eyes darted away, unable to meet Cheri's unwavering gaze.
"I honestly don't know, Cheri. I had no idea she was doing that until you confronted her."
The Truth Unveiled?
Cheri's voice grew more desperate. "But why, Jason? Why did she choose you? Did you have any kind of relationship with her, even if it was just emotional?"
Jason's shoulders slumped, and he let out a defeated sigh. "Cheri, I have to be honest with you.”
The moment Cheri heard those words, her heart began to beat very fast.
A Breach Of Trust
“I did have some conversations with Jenna at the drive-thru. They were innocent, just friendly exchanges while I waited for my coffee. But I swear, nothing more than that."
The weight of his confession hung heavy in the air. Cheri felt a mixture of relief and sadness wash over her.
Her worst fears weren't entirely realized, but there was still a breach of trust between them.
Is It The Whole Truth?
"I appreciate your honesty, Jason," Cheri said, her voice trembling. "But how can I be sure that you're telling me the whole truth? I need to know if there's anything else I should be aware of."
Jason reached out, taking Cheri's hand in his.
"Cheri, I promise you, there's nothing else. I never had an affair with Jenna or anyone else. I made a mistake by engaging in those conversations, and I regret it deeply. You and our children mean everything to me."
She Wanted To Believe Him
Cheri stared into Jason's eyes, searching for any signs of deceit. She wanted desperately to believe him, to rebuild the trust that had been shattered.
But doubt still lingered, and she knew it would take time and effort to heal their relationship.
"I want to believe you, Jason," Cheri said, her voice filled with both vulnerability.
Lingering Doubts
But Cheri couldn’t ignore the lingering doubts that were still in her mind. No matter how hard she tried to get rid of them, it stayed there.
Her whole world had been turned upside down because of this girl, and now she couldn’t even trust her husband anymore.
How had everything turned out so bad for them?
Not Going To Stop
Cheri’s mind was racing with all kinds of thoughts. She didn’t know who to trust. Her husband seemed like he was trying to make things right.
But the fact that he had lied to her in the first place didn’t sit well with Cheri. So there was only one thing left to do.
She wasn't going to stop until she found out the truth.
One More Thing To Do
But maybe there was one more thing to do. As soon as Jason fell asleep, she snatched his phone from the nightstand and went downstairs.
There, she went through all his contacts, messages, and call logs. She didn’t find anything suspicious. It looked like he wasn’t cheating on her after all.
Was he telling the truth?
Making Things Work
Cheri was left with more questions than answers. But she knew that the only way to let go of the doubts is to believe her husband and work on their trust issues.
That would be one way to move forward from this mess.
It would be a difficult process to regain someone’s trust, but Cheri was determined to make things work.
Therapy
Cheri and Jason started going to couples therapy to try and work out the issues their marriage was facing. It was difficult at first, but with regular appointments, things were starting to look up for them.
Jason admitted guilt and resolved to do better to make the marriage work.
What happened was his fault, after all, and he put his family in harm’s way.
Before It Was Too Late
She was happy that she managed to uncover the truth about Jenna before it was too late. Who knows, maybe she had planned on stealing bigger amounts of money.
It could’ve turned out so much worse for them.
Hopefully, Jenna would learn her lesson and not try to steal from anyone again, and Cheri was going to see that it never happened again.
Resolute
Cheri was vigilant in stopping Jenna from stealing anything else from anyone. Having been tricked by a teenager, her husband was also embarrassed.
Through it all, Cheri remained resolute, determined to safeguard her family's future.
One cup of coffee had made a difference in confronting dishonesty head-on.
A Chance
Cheri pleaded with Jenna not to involve the authorities. As she begged for forgiveness, she admitted her wrongdoing.
Cheri confessed that she had stolen Cheri's credit card information and exploited Jason's rush to notice the unauthorized charges.
She acted out of desperate need for extra cash but never intended things to escalate this far.
Gravity Of The Theft
Even though Cheri was empathetic, she knew she had to take action. Together with her husband, she explained the situation to Jenna's manager and urged them to resolve it. During the coffee shop incident, Jason became angry and caused a scene.
Due to the gravity of the theft, Jenna's manager terminated her employment.
There was no choice but to do it.
Harsh Truth
Cheri left Starbucks that day, feeling a mixture of relief and sadness.
The feeling that she had just witnessed someone's life unraveling couldn't be shaken.
The decision was hers; she knew she had the power to either give Jenna another chance or get her fired.
Asking For Mercy
The following day, Jenna came to Cheris's house asking for mercy. As Jenna begged her not to take legal action, Cheri was furious.
With tears streaming down her face, Jenna explained her desperate situation and how she had fallen into a cycle of theft.
As Cheri realized what had driven Jenna to this point, her anger began to soften.
Terminated
Cheri took a deep breath and considered the situation despite the anger and betrayal still burning within her. Cheri decided not to press charges against Jenna, recognizing that she was young and perhaps misguided. She nevertheless demanded immediate action from Starbucks' management.
The decision was difficult for her as a woman.
However, Jenna's employment should be terminated so that she would not victimize others.
Last Day Here
The Starbucks manager was shocked by the revelation and sincerely apologized.
Cheri was assured Jenna would be dismissed immediately, as the necessary steps would be taken.
Thanks to Cheri's understanding and empathy, the manager agreed to post a warning about credit card theft and the importance of vigilance.
Reminding Them To Be Cautious
Local news outlets and social media spread word of the incident. A cautionary tale, Cheri's story reminded people to be cautious about their personal information and vigilant in protecting themselves from such fraud.
People shared similar experiences or expressed gratitude for the heads-up after the online post gained traction.
Will it stop the desperate employees?
Coffee At Home
Despite being shaken by the incident, Cheri found comfort in knowing she had taken action to prevent Jenna from causing further harm. As a result, she and Jason improved their communication, assuring each other of their commitment to their family.
Their trust was gradually rebuilt after being temporarily shattered. Cheri began checking her statements from then on.
"Let's start drinking coffee at home," she suggested.
Banned For Life
As for naughty Jenna, she was awakened by the consequences of her actions. After losing her job, she felt regret and understood that her choices would have serious consequences.
To get back into the working world and continue her studies, she sought professional help.
Starbucks has banned her for life.
Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of those depicted, some names, locations, and identifying characteristics have been changed and are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblances to actual events, places, or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.