2017/2018
Vol. 13

Candy Thieves

1981; Olivette, Missouri, USA

My friend Josh and I were walking to a neighborhood candy store in Olivette, Missouri. It was 1981, and we were both in fifth grade. When we walked into the candy store, we realized we had no money. Josh told me we should just steal a candy bar while the store clerk wasn’t looking. Josh whispered to me, “Don’t let the clerk see you.”

I took a chocolate bar off the shelf and tucked it into my back pocket while no one was watching. Then Josh carefully slid a candy bar up his sleeve. The clerk looked up just as the candy bar disappeared into Josh’s sleeve. While Josh and I were heading toward the door, the clerk stepped in front of us and locked the door with an angry look on his face. We both knew at that moment we were in deep trouble.

“Empty your pockets now,” the clerk ordered Josh.

There was nothing in Josh’s pockets. The clerk reached out and touched Josh’s sleeve and heard the crackling of the candy bar wrapper. I saw the store clerk reach for the store phone and dial 911. I felt fear rush over me, knowing the police would come and we would be arrested. While the store clerk was still on the phone, I took a few steps backwards. I pressed my back up to a food shelf. I carefully took out the candy bar from my back pocket and set it on the shelf. With the candy bar out of my back pocket, I felt so relieved.

A few minutes later, the neighborhood police officer rushed through the store door. I was scared to death! As we walked out of the candy shop, red and blue lights flashed in our eyes, and the noise of sirens filled the neighborhood with sound.

The policeman put us both in his police car. I sat in the back and didn’t say a word. The policeman asked Josh a lot of questions, including “Where do you live?” “What’s your name?” and “How old are you?” Josh answered all of the questions as he nervously rubbed his hands together. The officer didn’t ask me any questions, because the clerk never saw me steal a candy bar.

Once the questions ended, we were driven to Josh’s house. I stepped out of the car and followed Josh and the policeman.

“You can go home now, kid,” he said to me, looking over his shoulder. I sprinted home, thinking about what just happened, feeling grateful I didn’t get caught!

That day I learned to never steal anything in my entire life again.

Ella Munz, daughter of the narrator of the story; Missouri, USA

Illustrator: Janessa Hoffmann; Missouri, USA

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