Lesson 2

“John, what were you thinking?”  Caroline yelled at her son.

“I dunno, “ whispered John

“Haven’t I taught you better than this?” Caroline hissed.

“I dunno, “john repeated.

“Oh, look there’s  Tom from next door, “ exclaimed Caroline.

“Caroline, how are you?”  asked Tom.

“I’m good Tom.  How are you?”  Caroline inquired.

“Good, good.  Thank you for asking Caroline.  I just planted some tulips in the garden, “ said Tom.

“What color?”  asked Caroline.

“Red and yellow, “ tom informed.

“Red and yellow, how pretty.  How’s Betty doing?”  asked Caroline.

“She’s good.  You should come over for dinner soon Caroline, “ Tom offered.

“That sounds like fun Tom.”

“Gotta go Caroline.  Have a good day” said Tom

“Nice seeing you Tom, “ said Caroline.

“Don’t think I have forgotten about you  John, “ scolded Caroline.

“No, “ said John.

“I am very disappointed in you John.  Stealing is wrong.  Why did you steal that candy bar?  Why didn’t you just ask me if you could have it?  Don’t you think I would have bought it for you?  Do you think I would say no?  John I am so disappointed in you.  Why did you do it?”  demanded Caroline.

“I dunno, “said John.

“I am going to teach you a lesson.  Yup, that’s what I am going to do.  We are going to the police station, “ said Caroline.

“No, I don’t want to go to jail, “ cried John.

“You should have thought about that before you decided to steal that candy bar, “ said Caroline.

“Please mommy, I won’t do it again, “ pleaded John.

“I do not want to hear it John.  Now, get in the car right now, “ said Caroline.

“Yes, mommy, “ whimpered John.

“We are going to the police station and who knows they just might put you in jail.  Did I put the clothes in the dryer?  Oh, honestly.  I am always forgetting to do that.  If I have to wash that load of laundry one more time…”  cried Caroline.

“Mommy, please do not take me to the police.  I don’t want to go to jail.”

“It is too late.  You should of thought of that before.  This is going to teach you a lesson. 
Only criminals steal.  Are you a criminal John?”  asked Caroline.

“No, mommy,  I am not a criminal.  I don’t want to go to jail, “cried John.

“Here we are.  Out of the car now.  March yourself into that police station right now, “ demanded Caroline.

“Yes mommy.  I am sorry mommy, “said John.

“Officer I would like you to have a word with my son.  He just stole a candy bar from the store, “said John.

“Is that true.  Did you steal a candy bar?”  asked the Officer.
“Yes sir.  I stole a candy bar.  I will never do it again.  I swear.  Please do not lock me up, “pleaded John.

“Well, if you promise not to do it again, “said the Officer.

“I will not do it again.  I promise, “shouted John.

“Thank you Officer.  I think he has learned his lesson.”

“Anytime I can help.  That is my job as an officer, “said the Officer.

“John, I know you will never do that again, right?” asked Caroline.

“I will never steal again mommy.  I have learned my lesson since you brought me to the police station and had the officer scare me, “said John.

Without Dialogue

Caroline strolled through Wal-mart with her son walking next to her.  Her cart overflowed with groceries.  She smiled at her luck as she found a place in line behind an old lady paying for her items.  Out of the corner of her eye she saw John eyeing the candy.  She thought of the apples in the shopping cart which was a much better treat.   

The old lady’s hands shook as she handing the money to the cashier.  Old people were sweet.  Caroline’s thoughts went to the laundry she had started this morning.  I hope I put the laundry in the dryer.  I don’t want to have to wash those clothes again.  The old lady left and Caroline moved up and started chatting with the cashier. 

After paying, Caroline took John’s hand and led him out of the store, pushing the cart with her other hand.  At the car Caroline opened the door for John to climb in his seat.  She loaded the groceries in the car and then started buckling John into his seatbelt. 

Her eyes moved to a candy bar sticking out of John’s coat pocket.  At first she was too shocked to speak.  After the shock wore off she started trembling with anger.  She had taught John better than to steal.  He was going to learn a lesson the hard way.  She told him he was going to the police station.

Caroline was fuming on the way over.  She couldn’t believe John had stolen.  She glanced in the back seat and saw John crying.  Her heart went out to him.  She started having second thoughts.  Was she being too hard on him? 

No, he had to learn a lesson.  This is what her father had done when she stole lip gloss at the age of five.  It had worked for her; it will work for John too.  It may scare him.  But, isn’t that the point?  She kept repeating to herself that she was doing the right thing.  If she didn’t she feared she would chicken out and turn the car around.  John had to learn a lesson. 

They arrived at the police station.  John was still pleading.  Even though Caroline knew she was doing the right thing, it still hurt. 

The officer at the desk understood what Caroline was doing and played along.  He made John promise not to steal again.  Before they left the police station Caroline kneeled down to John’s level and wiped the tears from his face.  She smiled and wrapped her arms around her son.  John’s tiny arms folded around her neck and squeezed.  She had done the right thing. 

At least that’s what she thought twenty years ago, now looking into the jail cell she knew now she had just been showing John his future. 


Variation of dialogue and narrative.


“John, what were you thinking?”  Caroline yelled at her son.

“I dunno, “

“Haven’t I taught you better than this?” Caroline held up a candy bar she had found in his pocket.

“I dunno, “john repeated.

“I am going to teach you a lesson.  We’re going to the police station, “said Caroline. 

“No, I don’t want to go to jail, “tears streamed down his cheeks. 

Caroline tried to ignore his pleas.  “You should have thought about that before you decided to steal that candy bar, “

“Please mommy, I won’t do it again, “

Twice Caroline wanted to turn the car around and go home.  She wanted to wrap her arms around her son and make it all better.  But, this had to be done.

“Here we are.  March yourself into that police station right now. “  Caroline’s voice trembled.  She hoped her voice wouldn’t betray her stern façade. 

John continued to plead as Caroline led him to the front desk at the police station.  “I’m sorry mommy, “

“Officer I would like you to have a word with my son.  He just stole a candy bar from the store, “Caroline held the officers gaze as she spoke looking for recognition the officer knew what she was doing. 

As if acknowledging her intentions the officer winked at Caroline.  He leaned over the counter and turned his attention to John.

“Is that true?  Did you steal a candy bar?”  asked the Officer.

“Yes sir.  I’ll never do it again.  I swear.  Please don’t lock me up, “

“Well,” said the officer with a smile,” if you promise not to do it again, “

“I promise, “ 

“Thank you Officer.  I think he has learned his lesson, “ said Caroline.  She turned to John and knelt in front of him.  She held both of his arms at his side. 

“John, I know you will never do that again, right?” asked Caroline.
“I’ll never steal again mommy, “

Caroline’s heart broke as she looked into the jail cell at her son.  Caroline wished he had kept that promise he made twenty years ago.  It would be another five years before he received another chance.