I hate Qwest. I have used them for years now out of no choice, really, because Cox is just ridiculously expensive, and even though it usually costs me several hours of customer service talk-time every couple of months, the price is right.
I got an email yesterday saying I owed Qwest $242. Impossible -- literally -- not possible. So I called. And I waited. And I held. And finally, I was helped by someone rad. Her name was Lequisha Johnstone. It's all too familiar for those who know me and know I worked in a credit card call center back in 2003. So the epitome is the experience I had itself... yet I was happily surprised and amazed by what Lequisha and I shared.
Lequisha told me that the error (too long a story) was on the part of UPS, and not on the part of Qwest. At first I didn't believe her because of my long and horrible history with Qwest. As she further explained, I came to realize Lequisha was right... fuck me... it WAS the fault of UPS.
Now for most, this would just be dribble. For me, it hits too close to home. Years ago, UPS fuct up a very important package. All kinds of shit hit me like a ton of bricks and I started crying. Lequisha asked, "Wassup gurl, why you cryin? Who you cryin fo?" I didn't have words. I told her my life story, the long version -- and she made time for it.
When I was done, she told me hers. Not too strangely, we had so much in common. We cried together, we prayed together (mind you this is a Qwest operator on paid time) and she told me I had made her day. When I asked how (because all I had done was tell her how difficult my past was making my present,) she said, "Because... (tears) today was a day when I was feelin' like nobody else could understand what I been through... I was feelin' (tears, both of us) like the man upstairs forgot to tap me and tell me it was time to be happy sometimes at least."
We talked for several more minutes until Lequisha had to get back to work (these convos are taped after all.) After taking my credit card info, Lequisha said, "Don't ever forget you the one in charge of you. If God forgets you, that's on his time. It's up to you to remember you. I'll be prayin' for you gurl."
And I returned the sentiments. And so it goes.
Thank you Qwest for providing me with such horrible service that I got to speak with Lequisha. God bless her and her family. I love you Lequisha!!!
