An Unsettling Observation
Jenna observed the pair from a distance within the store, her attention drawn to their presence at the back. The man's furtive glances around raised Jenna's suspicions, evoking an uneasy feeling within her.
Despite his sour expression persisting since entering, Jenna found herself drawn to the elderly woman. With her head bowed beneath a small bucket hat, the woman's demeanor exuded an air of mystery. However, as Jenna caught a glimpse of the woman's face, her heart plummeted. The reality proved more distressing than she had anticipated.
Caught Her Attention
Jenna's attention was immediately drawn to them upon their entry through the doors. The man's visage contorted with anger as he led the way, leaving the much older woman to struggle behind, her frail legs doing their best to keep pace.
Initially, Jenna didn't dwell on the pair too much. The man seemed hurried, but aside from that, everything appeared relatively ordinary.
Struggling to Keep Pace
As she packed shelves in the rear, Jenna watched them pass by. The man strode ahead while the woman lagged behind, her old cane aiding her slow progress. "Keep up," the man muttered impatiently.
Jenna frowned, her attention shifting to the elderly woman striving to match the man's pace. Despite her efforts, the woman's face remained obscured by a small bucket hat, heightening Jenna's unease. There was something about their dynamic that unsettled her.
A Tense Encounter
Pausing her task, Jenna observed the pair closely from her seat. They proceeded deeper into the back area before coming to a halt. The man directed a harsh glare towards the elderly woman, his words lost to Jenna's ears from her vantage point.
Straining to discern the woman's reaction, Jenna's gaze lingered on her obscured face. As the man continued to address her, the woman's head drooped further, concealing her expression. Jenna witnessed her trembling hand rise to her face, brushing away tears. Was she crying? The sight deepened Jenna's concern.
Forgotten Duty
Jenna had forsaken her task completely, her attention now wholly fixated on the unfolding scene between the man and woman. With each forceful toss of items into the basket, the woman recoiled, startled by his harsh actions.
An empathetic pang tugged at Jenna's heart as she observed the elderly woman's frailty contrasted with the man's callousness. Despite her inability to articulate it, Jenna felt a deep sympathy for the woman. She couldn't help but ponder over the untold story behind their troubling interaction.
Exercising Caution
Rising from her seat before the shelf, Jenna approached the pair at a measured pace. The man's visage contorted with anger while the woman remained still, her gaze fixed on the floor as she intermittently wiped her face.
Despite her urge to intervene and inquire about the elderly woman's well-being, Jenna hesitated. She knew better than to become entangled in the situation. Yet, lingering doubts gnawed at her mind. Was the situation truly as dire as it appeared?
A Startling Revelation
Despite her desire to assist the elderly woman, Jenna felt powerless to intervene. Just as she contemplated retreating to her shelf, a pivotal moment unfolded.
In a fleeting instant, the old woman lifted her head, locking eyes with Jenna. A sudden wave of dread washed over Jenna, causing her palms to grow clammy. She couldn't believe what she saw. Yet, the woman quickly averted her gaze, realizing her mistake in revealing her face. Jenna knew she couldn't ignore this. She had to take action.
The Humble Beginnings
Hailing from Saint Joseph, Missouri, Jenna Adams led a modest existence. At twenty-three years old, she navigated her second year of college while juggling occasional shifts at a nearby supermarket.
Renowned among her peers for her strength and independence, Jenna never shied away from defending her convictions, regardless of the potential repercussions. Little did she know, one fateful day would bring unforeseen consequences for her unwavering resolve.
Unexpected Occurrence
The day began as routine as ever. Jenna had wrapped up her classes and was hustling to her job. Despite running behind schedule, she trusted her understanding manager to be forgiving.
Breezing into the expansive store, she swiftly punched in and dove into her tasks. Hours passed with the usual assortment of duties until an unfamiliar couple entered, altering the course of the day.
Hasty Encounter
While replenishing a shelf, Jenna briefly glimpsed them. The younger man wore a scowl, while an elderly woman shuffled behind him with a cane, clearly struggling to match his pace.
He forged ahead, indifferent to her struggle. Initially, Jenna dismissed them as simply in a hurry.
Going About Her Business
She mindlessly went about her business, not really focusing on anyone around her. She had an hour of work left and couldn’t wait to go home to rest. She was distracted by her own thoughts when she heard the loud stomps behind her.
When she turned to glance at the person, she noticed the grumpy man from a few minutes ago. He had made his way into the back of the store and the old lady was feet behind him.
Odd Characters
Jenna thought it was strange that the man wasn’t waiting for the old woman, but since she’d started working at the supermarket, she’d seen many odd characters.
But as the man passed her, he turned around and grumbled, “Keep up.” Those two words changed the way Jenna felt about the entire situation. Something about the way he spoke to the old woman didn’t sit right with her. She stopped what she was doing and turned around. She didn’t know it at the time, but the old woman was in serious trouble.
Something Didn’t Feel Right
Jenna looked at the woman who wore an old bucket hat that covered her eyes. She was facing the floor, the only part of her face that was visible was her nose. She frowned, watching as the old woman tried to pick up speed, but she wasn’t catching up to the man.
Jenna wasn’t usually one to pry, but she couldn’t help herself as her eyes followed the pair into the very back of the store. Something about the man’s demeanor didn’t sit right with her.
He Was Furious
She was still holding a box of canned tomatoes when she spun her chair around slightly. When they had just walked through the doors, she didn’t think much of the grumpy expression on the man’s face, but now that she was really looking at him, he looked furious.
He stopped in front of one of the shelves and turned to face the woman with narrowed eyes. He then said something that made the woman’s head drop even lower. Jenna watched with worried eyes. What on earth was going on?
Was She Crying?
The woman raised a shaky hand and wiped it across her cheeks as the man rolled his eyes. Was she crying? What had he said to her? Jenna placed the box down and fully spun her chair in their direction. Something wasn’t right.
He turned away and began harshly tossing items into a shopping basket, making the woman flinch. Jenna felt an overwhelming wave of sadness wash over her as she watched.
Don’t Get Involved
She wondered if she could just walk over there and ask the woman if she was alright, but she knew that she couldn’t get involved. She wanted to turn away and keep working, but her eyes wouldn’t leave the woman.
She tried to look at her once again, but the lady was staring down at her shoes, making it impossible to catch a glimpse of her face. Jenna was about to look away, but just then, the woman glanced up for just a second.
Worried
Her watery eyes landed right on Jenna, catching her as she stared. But Jenna wasn’t worried about the fact that she had been caught staring. What worried her was what she saw on the woman’s face.
A large black and blue bruise covered the old lady’s left eye. It was swollen to the point where she could hardly open it. But the woman looked away almost immediately, knowing that she had made a mistake. A shiver ran down Jenna’s spine. This was worse than she thought.
What Could She Do?
Her eyes were wide as she looked back at the man. He hadn’t noticed the interaction, he was still angrily chucking groceries into his basket. Jenna didn’t know what to do next.
Was she supposed to go over there and ask the woman about it? What if the man was responsible? She didn’t want to make any assumptions, but she was terrified of the man. It was clear that he was in a terrible mood. But Jenna wasn’t the kind of person to just let this go.
She Couldn’t Let It Go
Gathering all of her courage, she stood up from her chair. She couldn’t let the old woman leave without ensuring that she was okay.
The man and woman now had their backs facing her as she approached them quietly. She took slow, hesitant steps until she finally reached them. “Excuse me, sir and madam,” She spoke up.
Talking To Them
When the man turned to face her, his eyebrow raised. He did not want anyone to bother him. The old lady turned around too, merely glancing at Jenna’s face before looking down again.
Her hands trembled as they twisted around her cane. She knew that she’d made a mistake by looking up earlier, and she was terrified of what Jenna would do.
Intimidation
“Uh, I’m sorry to bother you,” She stammered over her words as the man’s eyes bored into hers. She quickly turned to the woman, trying to ignore the man who was trying to intimidate her with his harsh gaze. “But I noticed the mark on your face, ma’am. I just wanted to make sure you’re alright?”
A thin layer of sweat had appeared across her forehead as the man let out an irritated grunt. But Jenna made the fateful mistake of getting the man’s attention. He now had his sights on her.
Sights On Her
The old woman flinched at Jenna’s words. But it wasn’t because she feared for her safety. The look in her eyes implied that she was worried about the store clerks. Jenna had no idea that she had just stirred a beehive of trouble.
The man’s aggression suddenly changed from being focused on the woman to staring directly at her. He started slowly moving towards her, an evil look on his face.
His Next Move
The man’s next move was known only to him. He kept his pace as the gap between them closed. Jenna had no idea that she had poked her nose in an affair that would only get her in trouble, too.
Was it her imagination, or did he have something in his pocket? Fear gripped her as she imagined all of the terrible things he could do.
None Of Her Business
The man closed the distance, and Jenna stood frozen in place. She had no idea what he was going to do to her. He stared daggers at her and opened his mouth to speak out.
Jenna readied herself for the worst. “This is none of your business, lady,” He spat at Jenna, but she suddenly had newfound confidence as she stared at the battered woman.
Battered Woman
Jenna stared at the battered woman, and her heart went out to her. She decided that she had to at least get a good explanation from the man if she wanted to feel guilt-free walking away.
“What happened to her? I think it’s in your best interest to answer truthfully,” Jenna asked in an authoritative voice. The man’s eyes went wide, and suddenly, he backed off a bit.
Leave Us Alone
“She’s fine, she fell down the stairs,” he grumbled, “Now please leave us alone.” He tried to turn the old woman away from Jenna, but Jenna stopped him.
“Excuse me sir, but I was talking to her. I will only leave you alone once she tells me that she’s alright.” Jenna challenged the rude man, now angered by the way he was treating her. She didn’t like him and she didn’t trust him.
She Knew Better
The lady raised a hand to her cheeks again, wiping tears away. She still refused to show her face, her eyes not leaving the floor. Jenna was a smart girl, and she knew better than to leave the woman’s side.
“Look, she is my grandmother, okay? I live with her, and she fell down the stairs last night. Now back off, or I will report you to a manager.” He spat.
Growing Concern
Jenna’s concern shot through the roof after his lousy excuse. She knew that it was a far fetched story that abusers normally told. If she really had fallen down the stairs, why was she so sad?
She wanted to get all the facts. Maybe there was an explanation for everything, but he hadn’t given it yet. Until he satisfied her concern, she would be watching him like a hawk.
Her Behavior
His explanation didn’t explain her behavior at the store. It clearly seemed like he was in distress, so Jenna wouldn’t leave the issue alone just yet. She looked at him and said, “Her behavior doesn’t explain your explanation.”
He seemed to only get more infuriated by her questions. Jenna was getting ready for anything when she noticed people gathering around. Maybe it was better for her to think of other ways to solve this.
Backing Off
By now, a small crowd had formed around them. One of the cashiers, Sarah, had crept closer, watching with suspicious eyes. She had noticed them too. Jenna didn’t want to leave, but she also didn’t want to get into trouble for harassing a customer. She slowly backed away from the man and woman.
But as she was about to turn around and walk off, the old woman raised her head. She didn’t make eye contact, but she spoke in a delicate voice.
What’s Going On?
Unfortunately, she spoke in Spanish, and Jenna couldn’t understand a word of what she’d said. “I said, leave us alone.” The man glared and she nodded, slowly walking off despite not wanting to. She spotted her manager who was watching from afar, and made her way toward him.
She felt bad, was she wrong about everything and was the old lady actually irritated with her? Maybe she had a disorder about going out in public?
Someone Watching
Thankfully for Jenna, someone else was watching the situation unfold. They had been a silent spectator the entire time and didn’t see any kind of reason to intervene. But now, she felt she had to.
She worked in the store just like Jenna did. She understood what the old lady actually said, and it was far darker than anyone thought.
Back To The Manager
Meanwhile, Jenna had made her way back to the manager, who wanted to know what was going on. “What was that about?” He asked. Luckily, he didn’t seem upset with Jenna.
She was about to explain when Sarah, the cashier, ran up to them. She couldn’t stand by any longer and let bad things happen to people for no reason. The man really was bad.
Call The Police!
“We have to call the police!” Sarah told the manager. She came from a Spanish household, and she overheard what the old woman had said. “You have to hurry before they leave.” She warned.
But the manager refused to call the police until Sarah told him what the woman had said. They were about to learn how bad the situation really was.
Getting Help
“She asked Jenna to help her, and she said that the man hurt her,” Sarah explained, and Jenna’s heart dropped. The manager didn’t waste a second as he rushed into his office.
Within minutes, he was on the phone to the police. Thanks to Jenna and Sarah, help was on the way. But what exactly was going on? Was he really her grandson?
An Explanation
Once the call was made, Jenna explained the situation to the manager. She explained how the man had treated the woman, which Sarah could confirm as she had been watching them too.
With both of them as witnesses, it seemed clear what was going on. But Jenna wasn’t even finished yet. She told her manager one final detail that would be the nail in the coffin.
Bruises
She could only feel anger when she then mentioned the bruise, shocking both the manager and Sarah. Nobody would defend the man after hearing about that.
Jenna was the only one who’d seen it. They just hoped that the police would get there in time. Who knows what else would happen if the man got away?
The Officers
Ten minutes after the manager had made the call, a police car pulled up outside the doors. Two officers came in, and the manager walked them to where the man and woman were standing in line.
“Sir, we would like to have a word with you outside,” One officer said before they led the man outside. The woman stayed behind, immediately bursting into tears of relief
The Full Story
A female officer approached the old lady and spoke Spanish to her. After a long conversation, they had all of the information that they needed.
It turned out that he was in fact her grandson. He had moved in with her after the sudden loss of his mother and her daughter. He was a thirty-year-old man with no ambition.
Tears Of Joy
He lived off of his grandmother’s money and hurt her whenever she couldn’t give him exactly what he wanted. It was a terrible thing to do, but thankfully, he wouldn’t be able to hurt her anymore. The police made sure of that.
She cried tears of joy when Jenna told her that he had been arrested. But the old lady wondered what would happen once he was released.
Needed Support
Jenna’s heart went out to the old woman. She was being taken advantage of by her own grandson. She needed support, even if she had plenty of money on her own.
That’s when Jenna decided to do something nice for her. The woman started coming into the store once a week. Why was she returning to the scene of the crime?
Grocery Shopping
It didn’t look like she was just grocery shopping. She barely bought anything whenever she came and she always stared at Jenna. She never approached her but it was as if she wanted something.
Then finally, the old woman approached her. She stared at Jenna and started speaking. But there was one problem.
Spanish
The old woman spoke only in Spanish. But thankfully, Sarah came to the rescue. She came to translate the woman’s words. She thanked Jenna for what she’d done, but she had other problems.
She told her that she was worried what would happen when her grandson came back. This sent shivers down Jenna’s spine. What would they do?
Thinking Of A Plan
Jenna felt obligated to help the woman. She didn’t want the grandson coming back and doing who knows what to her. She and Sarah brainstormed ideas while the lady nervously watched them.
She needed to find a way to ensure he could never harm her again. Then it came to her. Jenna told the old woman what to do. It would change everything.
A Restraining Order
Jenna instructed the old woman to go get a restraining order against her son. The evidence was clear enough to get one easily. The old woman was nervous, but she had to do it.
The woman reluctantly got one against the last of her family. This meant that once he was out on probation, if he got close to her, he would go straight back to jail.