On the ride home, Beth was thinking about seeing her kids and Arlene again. She promised herself that things would be different this time. No more degrading others just because they were different and no more overreacting when she doesn't get her way.
It was a tough lesson to learn, but she was determined not to fall into that trap again; plus, she never wanted to see the inside of a jail cell again or to be in a prison cell. Today was a new beginning, when she no longer wanted to be known as "the Karen" but by her name…... Elizabeth, and she was ready to embrace it.
In just a week, Beth was hired at the local grocery store, bagging groceries and stocking shelves. She couldn't go back to the bank because of the felony charge. Luckily, her mom's friend knew the store manager and put in a good word for Beth, assuring him that she wouldn't be a troublemaker.
With her mom by her side, Beth nervously approached the store manager. He already knew about her past, as her reputation had preceded her in the neighborhood. Still, he took time to lay down the rules and policies, making it clear that any slip-ups on her part would lead to immediate dismissal.
Beth knew what was at stake. She promised to work hard, and the manager, seeing a glimmer of determination in her eyes, agreed to let her start right away. That very day, she stepped into her new role, ready to embrace a fresh start with open arms.
After Beth completed her application and all the necessary paperwork, she was led to the stockroom, where she met the floor supervisor. With a warm smile, he handed her a smock, some gloves to keep her hands safe, and a trusty box cutter.
Supervisor: Alright, Beth, your mission is to open these boxes stacked on the dolly and separate them by aisle. Once you do that, you'll take the stock out on the floor to fill the shelves. If you have any questions, let me know.
Beth: I sure will. I promise to do my best and you won't regret it or be disappointed. Thank you.