Decisions

A regular at the store where I was working last night, I had never met her before. First the cashier at front checkout came to me & asked me to look in on her. I went to the makeup wall where she stood, wavering on her feet. I asked if she needed help finding anything. Her response allowed me to verify that she was quite drugged. But she wasn't causing a problem so I invited her to let me know if I could help her in any way & went back to store business. 15 minutes later, the same cashier told me that the pharmacy team wanted to know if I would call the police to handle her. I asked if she was causing a problem. The answer was an unequivocal "No, & she is a regular. We've never seen her like this".

"Well, if she causes a problem, let me know but, so long as she is just hanging out brousing, we should respect her right to do as she pleases. I am not willing to embarrass her unnecessarily."

30 minutes later, a pharmacy tech came up front & asked me to get her out of the store. They just didn't like her loitering. I went back out to chat with her.

"Hi," I greeted & smiled. "You've been here a long while. Is the pharmacy keeping you waiting?"

"Yeah," she slurred. "They say that I'm too early for a refill."

"Well they can't, by law, refill certain controlled substances early without a doctor's authorization, & you're obviously impaired right now. They can't give you anything that might hurt you were you to take it incorrectly because of your impaired state."

"I'm not high," she sighed & her eyes welled. "I'm on sedatives because I'm depressed & have anxiety attacks. Did I cause a problem?"

"You're fine. You haven't caused a problem. We're just concerned about you & we're almost ready to close so we're worried about how you'll get home. How did you get here," I asked.

"I rode my bike."

"Would you mind telling me your name?"

"Melissa."

"Hi Melissa," I whispered with a smile. "I understand about the depression & anxiety. I've been through that too. You've been no trouble at all, but we want to help you get home safely. Is there someone, your parents or a friend we can call to come & get you?" Tears welled in her eyes & rolled to stripe her cheeks.

"No," she sighed, "They're dead & I'm alone."

"I'm sorry, Melissa, I know how that feels. Would you like a hug?"

"No, but thank you. I'm just so depressed."

"Yes, I see that & its breaking my heart. How far away do you live?"

"Just a few blocks."

"Well, if you'll wait outside, I'll be happy to give you a lift home. I'm not comfortable with you riding a bike in this condition."

"I can do it," she squeaked.

"No, Melissa, you really shouldn't ride your bike. You're a bit more impaired than you think. Can you walk your bike home? Or will you maybe wait a little while for me to close up the shop & take you home?"

"I'll walk my bike home. But thank you for your concern."

"No worries, Melissa. If you change your mind and decide to wait I'll take you home in about 20 minutes," I offered again as I walked her out the door.

"Thanks again for your concern," she sighed as she walked away.

15 minutes later the intersection was FULL of emergency vehicles: Police cars, ambulances filled the intersection as I looked out. A city police officer was leading her by the arm back to his cruiser. He opened the back seat door & she got in.

"Well," I shrugged at the cashier, "At least she's unhurt & on her feet & the officer isn't arresting her or she'd be cuffed."

We all go through depressing times. I was a little surprised that the pharmacy team so quickly wanted to call the police. I was sure that would have wrecked Melissa's day, if not her whole month. A customer came in and told us Melissa had fallen off her bike in the intersection. In my opinion, Melissa was planning to use the meds we did not sell her to end her despair quietly, at home, alone last night. I don't know what more I might have done for her.