Chapter 1
I ran a convenience store at the base of our apartment building, and out of goodwill, I made a spot for the neighborhood kids to do their homework after school.
Not only do I let them enjoy free air conditioning and hot water, but I also hand out snacks from my own store to keep their stomachs from growling.
But that day, one of my neighbors Flora Hood showed up at my store with seven or eight other moms, blocking the entrance and launching into a tirade.
"How can you be so cruel, store lady?
"My son ate those cookies you handed out, and he spent all night running to the bathroom.
"If you're going to act like a charity worker, at least give out something decent. Who are you trying to fool with this near-expired trash?"
I took a deep breath, gesturing toward the shelves as I calmly explained, "I just opened those cookies today. There's nothing wrong with them."
But Flora didn't even listen. She just knocked over the homework table at the entrance.
Flora shouted, "Cut the crap! If you don't cough up ten grand for emotional damages today, this isn't over.
"And since you're so eager to act like a charity queen, from now on, you have to serve hot meals to our kids every single day."
*****
"Leila! Are you even listening? I'm talking to you," Flora snapped.
I had to bite back my anger and keep my cool.
I said, "Flora, hold on. You said your son got sick after eating the cookies.
"Did you even take him to a doctor? Got any medical report?"
She waved her hand, pointing right at my face.
Flora snapped, "Report? My kid was shitting his brains out. Do you think I had time to get some stupid report?
"Just tell me, are you paying or not? Three thousand dollars. Not a penny less."
The curly-haired mom immediately chimed in, backing Flora up.
"Yeah, Leila. Her kid got sick because of you. Shouldn't you pay up?" she said.
The woman in the floral dress edged closer, eager to join the argument.
"And those snacks you hand out? Aren't they just the unsold leftovers from your store?
"Giving kids stuff that's nearly expired, doesn't that bother your conscience?"
I let out an angry laugh at her accusation.
I grabbed the same pack of cookies from the shelf, flipped it over, and held the manufacturing date right up to her face.
I said, "Look closely. These were made just last week, and the shelf life is twelve months.
"They're milk-flavored cookies. My daughter eats the exact same ones.
"I've been running this store for three years. I have my standards."
Flora glanced at the date, looking a bit guilty.
But she clearly wasn't about to admit defeat.
Flora snapped, "So what if the date's new? Who knows if you just switched out the packaging?
"My son still got sick after eating those cookies from your store.
"If you don't give me a proper explanation today, I'm blasting this in the neighborhood group chat."
With that, Flora whipped out her phone and started filming.
Flora said, "Hey neighbors, take a look. This convenience store downstairs in Lakeside Community pretends to be generous, letting kids do their homework here.
"But in reality, they're giving kids expired snacks. My son spent all night running to the bathroom.
"Don't ever let your kids come here again. This store lady is downright heartless."
I clenched my fists, holding back my anger, and spoke up.
"Flora, if you really don't trust me, let's take your son to the hospital right now.
"If it's proven my store's snacks made him sick, I'll pay you 30 thousand dollars, no questions asked.
"But if it turns out it wasn't my fault, you owe me a public apology right here in front of everyone."
Flora rolled her eyes.
She scoffed, "I'm not about to waste my day at the hospital with you.
"If you don't pay up today, this video is hitting the group chat.
"And another thing..."
She stepped in closer, dropping her voice.
"From now on, you gotta step up this free homework zone.
"Hot meals for the kids every day, and no more of those crappy cookies.
"Soup, sides, fruit, the whole deal, you gotta handle it all.
"You run the store anyway, and it's not like you're swamped. Just do it while you're at it."
The other moms all nodded in perfect unison, like they'd rehearsed it.
The curly-haired mom couldn't resist piling on.
"That's right. Food spoils quick in the summer, so you need to get a mini fridge just for the kids' fruit."
The woman in the floral dress went even more overboard.
"You should throw in a few more desks and chairs. My little one's about to start school, so he'll be joining the crowd soon," she chimed in.
My mind was buzzing as I listened to their demands.
I'd been offering free space, free AC, and free hot water for their kids.
I paid for all the snacks out of my own pocket.
The extra electricity bills alone added up to several bucks a day.
Over the past two years, I have no idea how much I've poured into this, and honestly, I'd rather not find out.
And now, instead of showing any gratitude, they were just getting bolder, taking advantage of me at every turn.
They acted like my kindness was some sort of obligation, and treated all the freebies as if they were just expected.
I stared at Flora's self-righteous face.