The Motherload
Because of her inordinate time spent in the restroom, the store manager approached her several times. She knew the woman would be there for up to two hours, which meant she would be left alone at her post. After the lottery business announced the first winner, the manager paid little attention. The fact that it happened twice on the same day seemed too fortuitous for her. However, when it occurred twelve times in one month, she realized something was seriously wrong.
The Motherload
Walking Away
Melissa Harding, on the other hand, had no idea she’d close the day by revealing her ex-employees’ lottery secret. Although she’d had a terrible time working with her for a year and a half, she was sad to see her leave. Christy Ford, the mother, was only concerned about making ends meet and caring for her family, despite her work problems. Melissa never pictured herself going to such lengths to keep food on the table.
Walking Away
Easy Living
However, Christy had earned more than enough money to feed herself for the night. If she and her sons had desired, they could have spent their entire lives eating out at five-star restaurants. Melissa should have enjoyed her delight. Christy deserves it more than anyone. However, after winning the lottery fourteen times, the manager realized she needed to figure out what was going on. When she discovered what she had unearthed, she would race for her phone.
Easy Living
Meet Melissa
Melissa had already worked two years as the manager of a neighborhood convenience store in Geneva, Illinois, when she met Christy. The woman had been a quiet, exhausted single mother of two primary school-aged boys. After a tumultuous divorce, she found herself at the mercy of the world, desperate to find a means to care for her children. Melissa decided to hire the woman after only one look at her. If only she had known what she was signing up for.
Meet Melissa
There Is More To Her
Melissa thought she was doing the right thing by hiring the woman. She’d watched Christy walk up and down the town streets, going into one business after another, looking for work. Her clothing were ragged, and her hair was untidy, despite her efforts to be presentable. But Melissa should have seen there was more to her than meets the eye.
There Is More To Her
A Great Fit
Melissa hired Christy with the hopes of assisting the mother in any way possible. She discovered the mother was a quick learner and enjoyed teaching her about the store’s operations. By the conclusion of her first week, Christy had made Melissa proud. Melissa had no idea that her mother had already devised a scheme that would transform her life forever.
A Great Fit
What Drives Her
Christy’s first month at the shop was ideal. She arrived on time, worked as planned, and left late in the afternoon to pick up her sons from school. She was a diligent worker who didn’t mind working unusual hours or on weekends and holidays. Melissa thought all she wanted was to make as much money as possible. But the truth would be even more painful.
What Drives Her
Her Boys
Melissa realized that all Christy was doing was for her children. Her second month was exactly like the first. She never missed a day and even began smiling more instead of sulking alone in the breakroom, which was her routine. But just as things were beginning to improve, everything changed, resulting in a long and difficult fifteen months for Melissa and the rest of the restaurant’s employees.
Her Boys
Slacking
Christy’s behavior had suddenly deteriorated, which concerned everyone in the store. Working as a shelf stocker, she was responsible for keeping the shelves stocked. But recently, she’d been using the restroom for what seemed like hours. At first, she explained to Melissa that her frequent bathroom visits were due to bladder surgery she had a few months before. But Melissa would discover the truth soon enough.
Slacking
What Is Happening
Melissa did not mind the restroom breaks at first. Initially, Christy worked long shifts. Melissa got concerned when she began leaving empty shelves and spending extended periods of time in the restroom. She tried to communicate her concerns to her mother, hoping for a mutual understanding. She could only imagine how terrible her life was and wished to assist. But this would result in nothing but an ugly, awful disaster.
What Is Happening
Her Plan
Christy’s behavior deteriorated throughout the course of months. What began as fifteen to one-hour restroom breaks quickly evolved into two to five hours spent in the bathroom. Christy was setting herself up for failure with her actions, while her post went unchecked. But, given the high income, she considered it worthwhile.
Her Plan
Dealing In Absolutes
Melissa struggled to keep Christy employed. When she tried to remark about the mom’s ample toilet time, Christy would shoot her a glower that could wither any person’s insides. Melissa was at a crossroads: she had to perform her job as a manager and terminate Christy, or she could continue to be a good Samaritan and stick up for her. Her decision about this issue would come back to haunt her at the worst possible time.
Dealing In Absolutes
Be Smart
Melissa watched in silence as Christy disappeared into the bathroom for hours at a time. She had warned her several times, threatening to dismiss her if her behavior would not alter. Melissa, you see, chose to be Christy’s friend while also being her boss. But if she’d been wise, she’d have selected one path and stuck with it.
Be Smart
She Doesn’t Care
By the end of Christy’s first year at the store, her work ethic had deteriorated to the point where Melissa no longer bothers with her. She’d already recruited a different shelf stocker and was simply keeping Christy around out of kindness of heart. She’d also reduced her compensation, vowing to reinstate the full amount whenever Christy decided to take her job properly again. But from where she stood, it appeared that Christy was unconcerned about the pay drop.
She Doesn’t Care
Anonymous
Melissa was still considering whether to keep Christy when she received a call from her supervisors. One of the town’s residents had just won the lotto with a ticket purchased at their shop. The winner had requested that her identify be kept hidden, and because the prize money was $250,000, the Illinois Lottery granted their request. If only Melissa knew who this individual was.
Anonymous
Two Tickets, One Morning
As per business procedure, Melissa told everyone that a ticket from their store had won the top prize. But she was still talking when her phone rang again. She took it up, and her lips parted in surprise as she discovered that the second runner-up winner also came from a ticket purchased at their business.
Two Tickets, One Morning
Where Is She Going?
Melissa filled with excitement. It wasn’t every day that two of her store cards won the lotto. But out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Christy dart away from the group and disappear into the bathroom. Melissa shook her head, disappointed. She knew Christy was going to spend half her day in the bathroom doing God knows what. But it wouldn’t be long before the management solved the puzzle.
Following Her
She encouraged everyone to return to their jobs before swiftly passing by the bathroom to converse with Christy. Melissa was not the type to engage in conversation with others when they were using the restroom. But the issue needed her attention, so she decided to tell Christy where she stood on her behavior. But the response she would receive from her mother would only make matters worse.
Following Her
A Needed Conversation
Melissa told Christy about her bathroom antics, and the mother just smiled and praised her for her kindness. “I won’t forget what you did for me,” she said over the stall. Melissa was caught off guard by the remark and concluded that the mother was under the influence. “Are you okay?” she said, her voice filled with concern.
A Needed Conversation
She Says She’s Fine
“I am,” Christy replied. “I only need a couple more minutes. Then I’ll be out, okay?” Melissa took a step back as she spoke with a real tone. “Call me if you need anything,” she stated with furrowed brows. There was something strange going on here, and she despised the fact that a year later, she still hadn’t figured out what it was.
She Says She’s Fine
She’s Smiling
Christy exited the washroom earlier than normal, happy and greeting everyone. People hadn’t seen her grin in almost nine months. She went straight to the shelves on the last aisle away from the store’s exit, assisting the new employee in stocking bags of potato chips. She had no idea Melissa was keeping an eye on her.
She’s Smiling
It Doesn’t Feel Right
Melissa had been studying Christy since she came out of the bathroom. She was concerned that her buddy and employee had gotten herself into difficulty and was using illicit substances to cope. But as she watched the woman work, she noticed something that suggested she had misinterpreted the entire situation. Whatever was going on here did not seem right.
It Doesn’t Feel Right
Hushed Tones
Melissa watched as Christy dashed to the counter and handed the cashier, Robby, a large stack of dollars. She engaged in a fairly pleasant conversation with the man, her naive grin still intact. They talked quietly, with Christy nodding a few times before walking away. But this wasn’t what confused Melissa the most.
Hushed Tones
A New Friend
The craziest thing Melissa saw was Christy talking to the cashier. She was used to watching Christy speak to herself. So when she noticed him talking to Robby for a few minutes, she rushed to investigate. “I see you have a new friend,” she said to the clerk, smiling. “Who, Christy?” Robby responded, telling Melissa what they had just talked.
A New Friend
Where Is She Getting The Money?
It turned out that Christy had borrowed $5,000 from Robby and intended to repay it with interest. She was in such a good mood that she tripled the amount Robby loaned her. Melissa’s curiosity grew. She began to shadow Christy, wondering where the mother, who only had one job that barely covered her rent and electricity costs, got all of her money. She had to solve this enigma or lose her wits.
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Things Are Changing
Melissa initially suspected that Christy was involved in anything nefarious. So she kept an eye on the mother for the next week. But after a while, she had securely ruled it out. At the same time, her supervisors called her again, stating that someone had cashed another winning ticket. Like the first and second, this came from Melissa’s store. Christy was wearing newer, more expensive clothes and driving a beautiful sports vehicle by this point. Something in her life had changed. Melissa needed to know what.
Things Are Changing
It Doesn’t Make Any Sense
She attempted to follow Christy on her way home, but it yielded nothing noteworthy. Christy, in her opinion, lived a fairly typical, if lavish, existence. If only Melissa had examined the bathroom stall that the mother used. Melissa resented the fact that she was becoming obsessed with this topic. Meanwhile, more winning tickets began arriving from stores throughout the state, totaling eleven. That’s when the pattern appeared.
It Doesn’t Make Any Sense
A Pattern
Melissa recognized that every time someone won the lotto, their name would be kept hidden. Christy would go gone for a few days and then appear dressed in the most expensive attire and jewels. Melissa confronted her. She approached her as a friend, informing her that missing work was a serious offense. If the higher-ups knew, Melissa’s employment would be jeopardized. But Christy turned aggressive, leaving Melissa with no choice.
A Pattern
You’re Fired
Melissa fired Christy, tears streaming down her cheeks and her heart pounding in agony. However, the mother maintained a nonchalant demeanor throughout the encounter. Instead of throwing a fit, she hugged Melissa and promised never to forget what the manager had done to her when no one else wanted to assist. With that, she departed. Melissa didn’t leave the store until she ran to the restroom. She found it locked and had to bring Robby in to break it open.
You’re Fired
Cracking It Open
Melissa walked into the stall, only to see an unremarkable room littered with splintered doors. Her gaze fell on the toilet tank, which was positioned at an awkward angle, and she pulled it open. Her eyes widened at what she saw. A little logbook was taped to one side of the tank and wrapped in plastic. Melissa recognized who it belonged to. She opened it with strained brows. The book included pages of arithmetic problems with lottery numbers. The equations have condensed down to a few thousand tickets with the potential to win in each lottery round. Melissa felt a shiver run up her spine as she formulated an astounding theory. Christy had won the lotteries across the state.
Cracking It Open