Can i advise a new employer not to check a reference?

I am interviewing thursday for a part time retail position and i found out a week ago one of the employers on my resume listed me as terminated when i actually tried to reapply with their company. I have never been terminated !!Now i am on my way to an interview and this is the only retail job on my resume and i know i can't tell the new company not to call and verify but i am wondering what they can say in california. The reason i am concerned is because I left the company due to a family emergency and specifically told the manager the reason. I came in and explained to the resident store manager and explained to my manager before she went out on stress. NOw i understand both managers have left the company due to downsizing and i am wondering how to straighten this out. My manager explained i was not on the job long enough for family leave and to call if i could come back. She called in january and i explained i could not come back. My mother in law died in april . I understood her position and i knew she tried to hold the position but there was no way to work at this company and take care of a terminally ill member. If I had not called the toll free number at my old job to re apply for employment i would never know i was considered terminated from this company. I do not know what to tell my possible future employer and now i am wondering is this the reason why i haven't received calls from prospective employers in the first place. My main job i am still employed for 8 years. It is the part time job i am trying to get and this company is the only retail store i have worked for to show i have retail experience and not only is it the only one this job showed how well i sold commission in such short of time. I might just add i already filled out the application and answered no i have not been fired or termnated!!! It will look like i am not telling the truth. I am hoping they will look at my current job !!