It was the men’s section.
Quiet. Slower. Supposed to be safer.
I was folding dress shirts under fluorescent lights, counting minutes.
Then he came.
He approached casually — like he had a reason.
Said he was looking for something for his ex-wife.
I blinked.
Ex-wife?
In the men’s section?
Pick a better lie.
Still, I smiled.
I motioned him toward the women’s sections.
Pointed. Directed. Hinted.
He didn’t move.
Instead, he lingered.
The way humidity clings to your skin when you’re already sweating.
He asked me:
"Which do you prefer — Starbucks or Tim Hortons?"
I thought he still meant for her.
So I said:
"Starbucks."
He smiled.
Too slow. Too wide.
"I have a Starbucks gift card," he said. "When do you get off your shift?"
Just like that.
No buildup. No warning.
Pretending it was about coffee.
Pretending he hadn’t already decided he deserved my time.
And not even offering a real coffee.
Not even offering to spend real money.
Just flashing a gift card like it was currency.
And he was older.
Old enough to know better.
Old enough to have his life together.
Old enough that a free Starbucks shouldn't be his best move.
You think I’m going to be impressed by a leftover Starbucks balance?
Bro, you're not fifteen.
Get it together.
I didn’t answer.
I didn’t argue.
I didn’t freeze.
I turned.
Walked away like he didn’t exist.
Went straight to the back.
Called my manager.
Hairy.
That was the code word.
Hairy meant Help.
And just like that —
he wasn’t shopping anymore.
🚩 Red Flags He Carried Like Accessories:
Wrong Section, Wrong Story — Claimed to shop for a woman, loitered in men’s.
Refused Redirection — Ignored clear guidance.
Shifted Conversation Personal — Moved from customer talk to personal interest.
Fake Casual Flirting — Used a gift card as bait.
Boundary Cross — Asked when I got off work.
Persistence After Being Redirected — Testing limits.
Predatory Charm — Smiled while crossing the line.
Was Older But Acted Younger — Maturity isn't an age. It's a choice.
💡 What I Learned:
A lie doesn’t have to be good to be dangerous.
Predators aren’t discouraged by kindness.
They’re encouraged by it.
Small talk is just a net when the right shark holds it.
Gift cards don’t buy class.
Hairy.
Help.
Move fast.
Move before your kindness gets weaponized against you.
Volume XI. Sealed.
Next.
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