The Lost Boy

move I would imagine every aisle and the entire layout of the toy shelves. I plotted my primary and alternate routes of escape. In the event that I was caught, plan number one called for an ‘off-the-cuff’ lie, while plan number two meant that I would simply run like hell.
    One time, as a group of kids waited outside the store, I turned myself off, once again becoming a cyborg – half human, half machine. My mission: grab and go. Johnny Jones wanted a B-17 Flying Fortress model airplane. I accepted the challenge, taking three deep breaths before grabbing the glass door and pulling it toward my chest. I could hear the boys cheering me on, but I shut them out as the door closed behind me. I knew that somewhere in the store Johnny was watching. He wanted to see my bravery in person. I didn’t care. I had an objective to accomplish.
    In order not to be noticed by the string of checkout clerks, I walked down the first aisle leading to the back of the store. I then swiveled right and slowed my pace. By then my ears had become like radar, distinguishing between the sounds of the shoppers and the store employees. I slowed my pace before I turned right again and bent my head down to see if anyone was behind me. The coast was clear. My heart was racing as my objective came into view on the top shelf of aisle 4. I knew this job was going to be a challenge. For a split second something didn’t feel right. I thought of aborting.
Negative,
I told myself a second later. As I reached up with both hands, I could hear, then feel someone walking up the aisle. I shook the thought clear as I strained my legs to reach a little higher. A moment later I plucked my prize from the shelf. I showed no emotion as I marched down the aisle, passing Johnny, who was grinning from ear to ear.
    My chest was beating like a drum.
Now the hard part.
Just in front of me was the door to victory. Ever so slightly, I dipped my head and listened for anyone behind me or someone shouting for me to stop. The delicate moment had arrived. My face became tight as I reached out to push that door open, just enough to allow me to slide out, so in case someone had followed me, that person would have to spend the extra time and effort of pushing the door open – providing me an additional chance of sprinting away. I smiled to myself, knowing that I had thought of everything.
    Behind the glass door, I could hear the group of boys clapping and shouting for me. Johnny was already outside, his eyes as big as pancakes. I broke my concentration for a moment – but only for a moment – thinking what my latest risk would do for my acceptance among the group. At times in the past, the boys had teased me and played tricks on me in the park. I knew all along that they were taunting me, but I went along with the gags anyway. Any attention was better than none.
    I held my head high, smiling as I slid out of the door. By then the boys were laughing, and they began to attract attention. I thought I heard the sound of the door swish open from behind me. I started to reach over with my right hand and toss my prize to Johnny, when screams of laughter erupted. Johnny laughed so hard that he had tears in his eyes. I snapped out of my concentration and laughed, too. “David, ” Johnny howled, “I’d like you … oh man, this is just too much!” he giggled. “I’d like you to meet my dad.” In an instant my feet transformed into solid blocks of ice. I turned to see a man in a red Walgreens vest with a name tag that read “Mr Jones – Store Manager.”
    Mr Jones snatched the model, then grabbed my shirt. I walked in front of him as he opened the door to the store. As the glass door closed behind me, I turned my head. The group of boys leaned on their bikes and yelled, “Busted!” at the top of their lungs.
    “We’ve had our eye on you for quite a while. My son told me all about you … David.”
    I closed my eyes, thinking what a complete fool I was. I wasn’t sorry for stealing. I knew that what I was doing was wrong and I had accepted that fact. I even knew that my luck would eventually run out. But to be set up by the kid’s father! I knew that Johnny himself was swiping candy at the store next to Walgreens.
I should have known better,
I told myself.
I knew they couldn’t have liked me for just being another kid.
    About an hour later I returned to Lilian’s home. I opened the door and could hear her run from the couch. As I dragged myself up the stairs, she stood