A Trip To Remember
Taking a trip to the ice cream parlor was always one of the most exciting adventures as a child. With so many unique flavors, young minds are often overwhelmed with eagerness and that’s why we rely on those parlor workers for help. This girl (we’ll call her Kate) is a hard-working ice cream confectioner in a tourist-ridden town. Although weekends can be stressful and busy at the ice cream shop, Kate’s first priority is to always please her customers.
However, one weekend Kate received an unnecessary amount of trouble from one entitled mother and experienced the scare of her life that would have most people running out the door. The entitled mother (we’ll call her Jennifer) brought her three children into the shop, with the oldest being around the age of five and the youngest child approaching the age of three. Kate is informed to ‘do whatever the kids want’ and although she disagrees and gives Jennifer her suggestions, she respectfully obliges and does exactly as the children want. Jennifer chooses to disregard Kate’s advice on all options and is soon put in her place.
Flashy Means Yummy
One busy weekend, Jennifer entered the ice cream shop with her three children and Kate is “lucky” enough to help them. As expected, the children were attracted to the bold and bright flavors of ice cream and uncommitted to a single flavor. Unaware of the amount of ice cream in one scoop, the older two children asked for two scoops of ice cream.
In attempts to help Jennifer, Kate suggests she show her one scoop first and let her decide for the children on whether or not they should have two. Rudely, Jennifer asserted “do whatever my children want.” As an obedient worker, Kate listened and gave the two children two scoops knowing they would go to waste and feeling quite shocked by Jennifer’s attitude.
However, the real problem came when it was time for the youngest to decide on a flavor. The three-year-old girl (we’ll call her Brooke) was immediately captivated by the flashy blue bubblegum ice cream.
Choking Hazard
Kate informed the careless mother that the blue bubblegum ice cream contained full-size gumballs and there was a choking risk for small children. Jennifer was quick to respond, arrogantly saying, “Oh it’s okay, she’s old enough, and anyway there is no warning so I’m sure you’re exaggerating.”
Stunned but still concerned, Kate shows the mom the exact size of gumballs contained in the ice cream knowing this was a bad option for the little girl. After glancing at the gumball quickly, Jennifer annoyingly says, “Just don’t put any in her ice cream.” At this point, Kate can tell the mom is frustrated but is still not understanding the concept of bubblegum ice cream. Kate explains to Jennifer that it is impossible to not put any bubblegum pieces in her child’s ice cream because it is all mixed together and there is no guarantee the scoops she makes will not contain any pieces.
Baffled by this response, Jennifer decided to reply instantly and irresponsibly. “I don’t care! Just give her what she wants or I’ll make a complaint,” Jennifer stated boldly. Knowing that her manager would be the first to back her up and that she was only two hours into her shift, Kate decided to give the bubblegum ice cream to Brooke and finish with this encounter and all the drama that could come with it.
Brooke grabbed her ice cream and joined her brothers in the corner waiting for their mother to complete the transaction and leave. Little does Kate know, a dark storm is approaching.
Outraged And Oblivious
At the check-out station, Kate informed Jennifer of the total: $26. Outraged Jennifer yelled, “Impossible! Four ice creams cannot be worth that much! You’re trying to scam me!” Kate explained to Jennifer her condolences but it is what it is, she said: “I’m sorry ma’am but those are our prices, the prices on the boards behind me do not include the taxes.” Now Jennifer was livid regardless of the fact she had been told about the scoop prices earlier. Kate knew this occurrence would have to be explained.
With steam coming from Jennifer’s ears she yelled inquiring how four ice creams could be $26. “Well your sons both took two scoops which is $6 each plus they took waffle cones which are $1 each so were already at $14, you took two scoops on a sugar cone so $6.75 more and your daughter had one scoop for $4.25 plus extra candies $1, gives it a total of $26,” Kate clarified. Jennifer furiously starts complaining again. “This is ridiculous! Who charges for the waffle cones anyway? Those regular cones are disgusting, no one wants that, the cones should be free,” she yelled. Out of pure shock due to the disrespect she was being given, Kate knew she had to stand her ground.
“I’m sorry ma’am but I don’t do the prices, this is what it is, now will you pay cash or card,” Kate questioned confidently? While pouting and taking her sweet rime, Jennifer began to pull out her Visa. As Kate looked around the store past the line of impatient customers, her eyes were fixated on something else. Kate’s heart sank when she saw little Brooke as blue as her ice cream.
Out Of My Way!
Kate leaped over the counter frantically pushing the oblivious customers out of the way on her way to Brooke. As she got to Brooke, she ensured her she would help her. Kate said, “I will never forget the look in her eyes… She was desperate.”
Kate quickly started preforming the Heimlich maneuver in attempts to save Brooke from choking. She anxiously yelled at her coworker “go call an ambulance,” and advised a customer who knew the manager to go retrieve her immediately. Kate began to worry when Brooke still hadn’t started breathing again.
Meanwhile, Jennifer comes to the realization of her daughter choking and does the unthinkable. Yelling and screaming at Kate who’s main focus was saving Brooke’s life. Kate continued the Heimlich on Brooke until her manager (we’ll call her Tracy) arrived. However, by the time Tracy arrived, Brooke was “as limp as a rag doll.” Luckily enough, Tracy is a retired nurse, so without delay, she took over. Tracy then jammed her fingers down Brooke’s throat and successfully dislodged the bubblegum piece. Brooke coughed and gasped but remained unresponsive.
False Accusations
Unapologetic and insincere Jennifer continued screaming at Kate and Tracy, “What did you do to my baby girl!?”
Still in quite the panic, Kate responds to the mother confidently, “She was choking. I was doing the Heimlich procedure, you moron! She choked on a bubble gum, and I warned you about the danger!” All the yelling got the attention of the children’s father (we’ll call him Paul), who had just entered the store.
Suddenly spotting her husband, Jennifer blurted out in a rage, “This girl assaulted our daughter and now she’s trying to attack me!” Confused by the commotion and yelling, Paul is flummoxed and solely worried about his daughter’s safety. Kate stated, “She’s over here, she was choking on a bubble gum, I tried to help.” To Kate’s surprise, the father was caring and ran to Brooke’s side to comfort her. The paramedics arrived shortly after.
Daddy To The Rescue
Brooke was still in crisis once the paramedics arrived. It was unknown how long she’d been without oxygen and her body was in shock. Everybody was worried and shaken up by the incident. Not only had the paramedics arrived but police had arrived as well.
In the midst of the panic, Jennifer called the police, claiming Kate had assaulted her child. Thankfully the numerous customers, employees, and cameras could attest that Kate was only trying to help. Just when you think Jennifer couldn’t get any worse, she does.
In the presence of the police, Jennifer changed her story. She claimed, that Kate “purposefully gave Brooke a dangerous ice cream without warning her,” but once again Kate had proof showing and saying otherwise. Kate’s only concern was the look of Brooke’s lifeless body while speaking to the paramedics.
Out of nowhere, Paul began yelling at Jennifer specifying how it was all her fault and how this time, she took it too far. “YOU ALMOST KILLED HER! Would it kill you TO GIVE CARES about them for once,” he screamed. Jennifer burst into tears after coming to the realization of what had happened but still tried to cover her image crying that Kate was responsible for everything. Jennifer was soon about to get what she deserved.
Pale As A Ghost
The police soon realized Jennifer had made a false claim and was charged a fine. As dad rode off in the ambulance with Brooke, Jennifer sulked out of the parlor with her head down feeling lifeless and looking pale as a ghost.
There has been no update on the condition of Brooke but Kate felt hopeful of her recovery.