Chapter 2

“Mom?” Marie said when no one came to door.

Marie walked inside Stella’s home and found her mother lying on the sofa.

“Mother, what are you doing?” Marie asked when she saw her mother.

“My life is over!” Stella said with pity.

“Oh, mother, no it’s not!” Marie tried to encourage her.

“I’m no longer number 1 in couponing!  I’ve worked hard to perfect the art and Betty now has the title!”

Stella rolled over and laid back down on the sofa.  Marie felt sorry for her mother.  Now she was sure Betty did something to get the win.  Jealousy was a huge factor in this situation.  Betty was always trying to one-up her mother when it came to couponing.   She had to find out just what Betty did to win.

“Mom, I have some errands to run!” Marie told her mother.  “I’ll come by later and check on you.”

Marie decided her first place to look was with the grocery store where the contest was held.  Talking with the manager, Mr. Sheckem, was the first place she would start.  He would know something, Marie was sure of it.

Marie walked up to the customer service booth to speak with the CSR.

“May I help you?” Amie greeted Marie, who was approaching her register.

“Yes Amie, I’d like to speak with your manager.” Marie told the salesgirl, reading her name badge for her name.

“One moment, ma’am.” Amie told Marie, as she dialed Mr. Sheckem’s number.

“Hello?” Mr. Sheckem asked as he picked up his line.

“Mr. Sheckem, there’s a woman up here at the customer service booth who would like to talk with you?” Amie told Mr. Sheckem.

“I’ll be right up front in a moment.” Mr. Sheckem told Amie, who made it a point to meet with customers immediately.

“The manager will be up front in a moment.  If you’ll just wait a few until he comes?” Amie told Marie who stood by on the side to wait, while Amie helped other customers.

True to his word, Mr. Sheckem was only a few minutes as he appeared at the front of the store.

“Amie, you said someone wanted to speak with me?” Mr. Sheckem asked Amie.

“Right over there.” Amie said to him, pointing in Marie’s direction, as he walked over to Marie.

“Hello, Marie, what can I do for you?” Mr. Sheckem asked her.

“Mr. Sheckem, I wanted to speak to you about the coupon contest a few days ago?” Marie asked him.

“Oh, what did you want to know?” Mr. Sheckem asked.

“Well, I recently found out that there were two other contestants in the coupon contest who backed out at the last minute?” Marie grilled Mr. Sheckem.

“Well, they found out Stella Conway was in it?” Mr. Sheckem told Marie.  “It’s the logical choice, don’t you think?”

“So, because my mother was in the contest, and given her reputation for extreme couponing, they just backed out?” Marie said doubtfully.

“Well, they knew they had no chance if your mother was in it?” Mr. Sheckem gave his obvious answer.

Marie knew something was up and that Mr. Sheckem wasn’t going to give her a reason.  Something must be really up for him to give such an obvious reason. 

“Well, thank you Mr. Sheckem, for your time.” Marie said courteously.

“Anytime.” Mr. Sheckem said as he watched Marie leave, and headed back to his office.

Mr. Sheckem got back to his office and dialed a number immediately.

“Marie Conway is asking questions.” Mr. Sheckem said to the unknown caller before hanging up.