Joey nearly tripped over a rock trying to keep up with my pace.

     "What if the policeman is still there?" he asked.

     "Oh…I think he's gone by now," I mumbled slowing down a bit.

     When we reached the ditch, the paper bag of bottles was gone.

     "Maybe…the policeman took them," replied Joey.

     "No," I said. "It was probably some kids."

     Leaving the area by the ditch, we headed over to the nearby high school across from the stadium. There were several dumpsters near the back of the school and I thought we might get lucky.

     "Oh…come on," I mumbled. "There has to be some bottles…somewhere."

     "Let's go look in the ditches across the street," said Joey walking in that direction.

     Our search was all in vain. Not one bottle did we find! We were desperate! Joey and I would have to do the unthinkable in order to get some candy this afternoon. There was only one thing left to do. It was a trick someone had told me about.

     I told Joey about doing the dastardly deed before arriving at Robert's Grocery Store. We knew the clerk always asked us to place our bottles in a shopping cart at the end of the counter, after he counted how many we had.

     Since the cart was half hidden behind a stand, the clerk would not know if someone walked over to the cart and removed a few bottles. The only problem might be in showing the bottles to the clerk and expect payment for them. He would know immediately the bottles did not belong to me, since I did not walk in the store carrying them. However, if I had an accomplice, I could place the bottles near the door and that person could pick them up and carry them over to the counter. My plan might work if the clerk was busy with a customer.

     I walked into the store, while Joey waited for his cue from outside. He stood at the far end of the store's window and watched. Since he was so small, the clerk could not see him.

     I stood near the assortment of candy pretending I had money in my pocket. I waited for a customer to approach the counter. Finally, when someone did, I made my move. I knew I only had seconds to remove any bottles. It was a lucky day after all. For in the cart, was a six pack of empty bottles still in the carton. I took them and walked to the back of the store. I passed the window where Joey hid and nodded.

     Fortunately, there was another customer standing near the counter blocking my presence. Boldly, I placed the carton of bottles near the door. Like a jack rabbit, Joey walked in, picked them up and headed towards the counter.

     The clerk asked, "Where is the paper bag you always use?"

     "We did not need it, because we only found six bottles," I replied.

     "M-m-m…," he muttered. "And a few minutes ago you walked in and did not have any bottles."

     "I didn't find any…but my brother did," expanding on the lie.

     I was sick to my stomach. I deserved any curse that came my way, because I was a liar. I was no better than the kids who lived in Slab Town, because this is exactly what they would do! I promised myself I would never stoop this low again and all because I wanted some candy. The clerk gave Joey twelve cents. I held out my hand expecting him to hand over the change, which he did not do.

     Smiling…he said, "I can get whatever I want!"

     I wanted to punch him. "Look you little worm!"

     "Just teasing," he replied with a twinkle in his eye.

     We bought two candy bars and two pieces of gum.

     The next time we entered the store, we noticed some changes. The store had been rearranged, so the shopping cart could fit behind the counter. I guess we were not the only ones stealing bottles from the clerk.

     Check out Saturna Brown's website at http://www.alligatorbait.weebly.com

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