swc daily - well, we all do that | total: 502 Well, We All Do That The pen cost six hundred dollars. It was enough to save mum. What would Henri have done with it anyway? His family was rich too, six hundred dollars was nothing to him, it was everything to me. I had a good reason. That is what I had told myself. That is what drove my hand to his desk, and allowed my fingers to wrap around it, like a python gripping its prey. It is what put the pen in my pocket. He had gone to the restroom, and when he returned he sat down again. My heart was beating so hard I'm surprised he didn't hear it sitting right next to me. And then he realized it was missing, his pen was gone. He looked devastated. I held my tongue so hard I swear I tasted blood and reminded myself I had a good reason. Then he looked at me, “Adan, do you know who took my pen?” “No.” “How could it have gone missing?” “I dunno.” “Adan, did you know that was my father's?” “No.” “He gave it to me before he went to fight the war.” “A fine pen.” “It's not that that matters.” I stared blankly at him. What did he mean? Why else would he be so upset. “He was shot.” This time his voice quivered. My hand walked itself over to my pocket. It reached in and pulled out the cool metal pen. It handed it to him. “Sorry.” How could I have just done that? Henri would hate me forever, he would curse me and hurt me! I would lose mum! I would lose everything! “Why? Why did you steal it? Why did you take it from me? You're a thief! Except you can't be. You gave it back! You said sorry! Why did you give it back? Why did you say sorry? If you are a thief? I don't understand.” “I need six hundred dollars. My mum…” A tear fell down my cheek. “Is she a hostage for the treaty?” “Yes.” “I have six hundred dollars.” “I don't deserve it.” “Why? Because you stole my pen? That's stupid! Bloody outrageous! Your mum is your everything, and you had no good reason to know what the pen means to me. And besides, you gave it back once you knew, it's all good.” “But I'm a thief. I stole.” “Well, we all do that. One time in the first grade, I stole Leah's cookie. I ate it. I feel bad now that I know her grandmother made them. Her grandmother died that week. We all steal meaningless things that mean something, trust me. And usually they're good reasons too. I stole Leah's cookie because I had never had a homemade cookie before, and Leah had them every week.” “You aren't mad?” “Of course not! We've known each other since forever! We're brothers. I don't care if your family is rich or poor! I don't care if you're American or British! You are my brother.” “And you're mine.” Note: “Well, we all do that” came from “Welcome to wonderland, we've got it all.”
