IT DOESN'T PAY TO STEAL

 Currently, I am so frustrated with myself I can hardly type, think or believe what’s been happening with me for the last little bit. And, I guess you could add scared to the list of feelings I’m having. Allow me to reiterate my concerns.

For the first time ever, I left my credit card at the restaurant where I had lunch on Friday. I was debating on whether I wanted to keep the waitress’ pen. My friend and I joked about being thieves because we both liked the pens provided. I decided to keep mine because I really did like it. My friend teased me about how God would punish me for the theft. 

I left the restaurant and drove to Lynnwood Costco to buy gas. Of course, I couldn’t bother myself to get out my cards in advance of my arrival at the pump. It was when I pulled out my Costco card that I realized I didn’t have my credit card. So, I used a different credit card to buy gas while I called the restaurant and asked about my credit card. Yes, they had it. Already my friend’s threat of punishment was coming true.

So, instead of going to the mall and doing a bit of Christmas shopping, I turned around and went back to the restaurant. I planned to give back the pen, but the young woman who helped me when I arrived took me back into the bar where my card was locked away. I felt extremely stupid having left it behind. The woman said I wasn’t the first and wouldn’t be the last. To prove her point, she held up a stack of cards that had been left behind…must have been about a half inch thick. It didn’t really make me feel less stupid and I left still in possession of the pen I stole…I should have given it back.

Today, I went to my fitness class, the post office and then to the Aurora Costco. Sheesh, what a busy place. It took forever to find a parking place and I had to be careful not to run into people, cars or long lines of carts being returned from the field. Finally, I parked, took off my seat belt and gloves and opened my wallet to retrieve my Costco card. Well, guess what, it wasn’t there. Neither was the spare card I used to buy gas on Friday. I then remembered I hadn’t returned the cards to my wallet on Friday. My punishment continues.

So, here I am back home without any of the items I planned to purchase at Costco. I’ll have to try again tomorrow and maybe the store won’t be quite as busy. Meanwhile, I’m beginning to wonder about my cognitive abilities. True, I haven’t missed any important appointments, actually lost a credit card, or done anything else that is of a huge concern. Still, it’s worrisome. Maybe there’s some truth to my friend telling me God would punish me. If that’s the case, then I promise to never ever steal another pen from a waitress/waiter. I’ll even put that pen in my car and return it to the restaurant next month when my friend and I again meet there for lunch. 

Hopefully, my punishment won’t continue now that I’ve confessed and promised to never ever again resort to pilfering a waitress’ pen. Time will tell.