Rude Bartender Mocks Elderly Lady in Dive Bar until She Takes Off Her Wig — Karma Story

Wade worked in a dive bar and was surprised when a frail old lady became one of his customers for the evening. He was rude to her and mocked her, not realizing karma would teach him a lesson when she'd reveal her identity.

Quinn was tired of her monotonous schedule and wanted some time to unwind, so she drove to the dive bar close to her home. As she walked in, she noticed a group of tall, muscular men playing pool and a young waiter serving them drinks.

Quinn approached the bar counter and ordered a whiskey. "Extra ice, please," she said to the smirking bartender.

"It seems you're at the incorrect address, ma'am," he said. "It's only two blocks to the nursing home!"

Quinn looked at him, puzzled, as she fixed her wig. "And what gives you the impression that I'm not here for the drink, young man?"

"Your age!" he said bluntly. "You know what, do your body a favor and avoid this... How about something a little lighter? Maybe I could fix you a mocktail? I don't think you'd be able to handle whiskey, MA'AM!" he said with a chuckle.

"A whiskey with extra ice, please!" Quinn repeated her order, ignoring his comment. "I hope that's clear, or I'll just have it somewhere else!"

"Woah, old lady," a man cut her off. "The man sounds like he cares. Take a look at yourself... After two shots, I'm sure you'll need help standing on your knees! And your wig... pretty ridiculous!"

Everyone has a story. Don't be too quick to judge someone.

"Pardon me? Is this how every customer here is treated or is this just for me?" Quinn shot back. "I suppose your petty male egos can't bear the thought of an older woman living on her own terms. Now, if you are done with your nonsense, please get me the drink!"

"Alright! Don't get too worked up... here you go..." the bartender said, placing a whiskey glass in front of her.

Quinn took a sip and sighed. "Honestly, Wade, you could do better than this!" she exclaimed to the bartender. "I can't believe you've become someone like this!"

The young man was taken aback. "Did you just call me by my first name? How... how do you—"

"You're wearing a goddamn badge on your uniform!" Quinn exclaimed angrily. "And anyway, don't you remember me? Really? Oh, what a letdown!"

"Woah, ma'am... You sound like we've known each other for ages, but I really don't know you, okay?" he said with a nervous smile. "If you're trying to prank me about this, it's not going to work!"

Quinn shook her head. "You haven't changed at all, Wade Fowler," she pointed out.

With that, Quinn took off her wig, and Wade's eyes widened like saucers. He felt his legs weaken and fell to his knees.

"Jesus! What happened to you, Mrs. Carrillo?"

"Chemo," she explained. "I've got cancer… When I feel like I'm going to die from this illness, I drink to distract myself. Don't worry; my doc said it's fine once in a while. Look at how that horrible illness took away my hair. But Wade you... you haven't changed a bit. The same reckless attitude as before."

"I'm so sorry for what I said before, Mrs. Carrillo… Like, I really had no clue it was you… I feel awful. Actually, I feel terrible that I've disappointed you…"

Life isn't life unless it tests you.

Quinn was Wade's former teacher. He was a naughty boy in school, but she always believed in him and encouraged him to do better. Unfortunately, after her husband's loss, she couldn't concentrate on work and resigned from her job. Years later, she was diagnosed with cancer and was forced to cut her hair during treatment.

"What are you doing here, Wade?" she asked. "I thought you had wanted to become an engineer! Science was your subject back in school."

"It all took a wild turn," Wade confessed. "I married young when I didn't even have a good job. Things didn't work out, and she dumped me. Life was a mess until I met a friend, and he suggested we could start the bar… so here I am."

"Time and youth fly away, Wade," Quinn said. "I always saw that spark of determination in your eyes… I still see that. You see, it's never late to pursue your dreams. I can't believe my smartest student is here… working as a bartender, consoling himself that his life isn't bad. What about the Wade who wanted to live his life on his own terms?"

Wade sighed. "I'm not sure," he admitted sadly. "I have no idea what happened to me..."

"Stay strong, dear," Quinn advised. "You see, I lost my husband, and then I got this terrible illness," she explained. "Life was difficult, but did I give up? No, I didn't. Life isn't life unless it tests you, honey. And if you give up so quickly, won't all my hard work be for naught?"

"I hope you get what you want, Wade. Thank you for the drink, and yes..." she said, writing down her address on a tissue. "Pay me a visit whenever you want. I'd appreciate some company. Cancer and I get tired of fighting each other! Have a wonderful evening..."

Quinn fixed her wig, paid, and left. After talking to her, something inside Wade shifted, and he wanted to change his life.

He wanted to become better. He knew he could do that.

A month later, he visited Quinn and said he was going to pursue engineering. He was planning on enrolling in a university, and Quinn couldn't be prouder of her former pupil.

Today, Wade is an engineer, and he's paying regular visits to the teacher who changed his life. Thanks to his visits, Quinn didn't need to drink to forget her worries, and the hope she had lost in beating cancer was restored. In fact, she didn't lose the battle against the terrible illness.

What can we learn from this story?

• A good teacher can turn their pupil's life around. Thanks to Quinn's encouragement and guidance, Wade could finally achieve his dreams.
• Everyone has a story. Don't be too quick to judge someone. Wade and the other men in the bar judged Quinn, unaware of how alone she felt after her cancer diagnosis. Her occasional drink was a means of temporarily forgetting about her terrible cancer battle and loneliness.

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If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a rude woman who mocked a man at a grocery store and learned his identity when her son was rushed to the hospital the next day.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone's life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com.