Our Regulars Wear Many Hats… And Sometimes Badges

I work at one of the busiest stores in the state for a very big coffee chain. It’s always packed, but our regulars are the best.

One day, a guy in the lobby gets heated, something about whipped cream, one of those tiny things we could have fixed in a heartbeat. His voice carries across the café.

Before I can step in, one of our regulars in the drive-thru (a police officer who usually comes by in her squad car) happens to be off duty but still in uniform. She hears the noise, parks her car, and walks straight inside, not even waiting for her drink.

She doesn’t have to say a word. The man eventually calms down and leaves on his own.

Afterward, we try to give her a drink for free, just as a thank-you for looking out for us. She shakes her head, pays in full, and drops a $20 bill into the tip jar instead.

I know the cops around here don’t make a huge amount of money, but there’s just a weird (and awesome) bond we have with our regulars.