Customer Service

It had been a typically slow day in the Walmart electronics department. New games and movies come in on Friday, so usually by mid-week I end up covering some other department as well, just to give me something to do.

So it was just luck that I was in the area when a boy came up and asked for help. He looked to be about thirteen, with sandy blond hair and green eyes partially obscured by glasses.

“I would like a girl controller, please” He said softly.

I thought about what he meant, and then found a controller in a pretty purple color.

“Would this one do?” I asked.

“Yes. Do you have any girl games?” He asked.

I took him over to the cabinet where the games were stored, and asked him for which game system he wanted the game. He said, “The Wii, please.”

I took him over to the cabinet, and looked at the selection of games, and found one popular with girls.

“Will this one do?” I asked.

He nodded, and I took the game and the controller to the checkout counter.

He was joined by an older boy, who looked at what he had selected.

“You sure about this? You know Dad’s gonna make a scene.”

“I’m tired of hiding, Tom. I read online someone describing being trans as being a butterfly who gets to paint their own wings. Well, I’m ready to start painting. No matter what Dad says.”

“Well, I’ll back you as much as I’m able ... little sis.”

The younger child beamed.

The older boy paid for the game and the controller, and the two of them left.

Later, on my lunch break, I thought about the kid, and how brave she was. I couldn’t imagine trying to tell my parents something like that at her age.

So I said a little prayer for her, and her family, and then went back to finish my shift.

End.