rivka

Right now we're in Elmira, New York, surrounded by a great abundance of Walds and Thatchers. A few years ago, my parents sold the house I grew up in, which was an enormous Victorian of stately dimensions which never, ever felt crowded even with kids and foster kids and in-laws and niblings. It was a wise decision for people with only one child at home, but it does make the holidays a bit cramped. At least Misha and I were the first ones here, which means that we got to claim the guest bedroom with the door that shuts. Even if everyone else in the family does tramp through to check their e-mail every five minutes.

My sister Juanita came home upset from work last night. She's been working at Sears for over a year, and last night (the Saturday before Christmas!) they had her working the Junior department all by herself. Someone came in who she knows slightly - she's seen her around, but doesn't even know her last name. She let this girl into a dressing room and went back to her counter... and a little while later security called her into the back room. The girl had shoplifted some clothes, and they thought Juanita had helped her. They showed her the security video and lectured her on how "bad" it looked that she had spoken to this girl. "You're one of our best employees, so just tell us who she was." They insisted that she could identify the shoplifter, that she was helping her steal, that she was going to be in a lot of trouble if she didn't tell what she knew.

Juanita's black. The girl who shoplifted was black. And so, apparently, they must have been conspiring. And the security guards felt free to try to intimidate her, and her supervisor sat right there and watched it happen. Now she wants to quit - can you blame her? - but they'll take that as an admission of guilt.

She had to go right back in this morning. We're waiting for her to come home and tell us how it went. Misha encouraged her to stand firm and not put up with any more intimidation - and to threaten to call a lawyer if they don't back off. But that's a lot of poise to expect from a young 19 year old who is utterly freaked out and humiliated.

I am so disgusted. Merry Christmas, Juanita, and thank you for your year of excellent service to our store.