Kleen's grocery store: I was a thief

This is the first part of a two part series.

In the story I am about to share with you, I was 7 years old and it was 1938. I was about to become a thief.

We lived on the East side a few blocks from a neighborhood grocery called Kleen's. Back in those days big supermarkets hadn't come into existence yet, little neighborhood grocery stores were woven like a patchwork quilt throughout our small town of Fort Scott.

As my story begins, it must have been a Saturday, or otherwise I would have been in school. I was outside playing and mama called me inside to say she wanted me to go to Kleen's for two or three things. She gave me a list and then tied several coins in the corner of my hanky and stuck it in my pocket. She said "now be a good girl and remember to stop and look for cars before crossing the street." I gaily started down the sidewalk, hopping and skipping all the way.

Even though it was during the Great Depression, I was just a little kid and didn't have a care in the world. I waved at everyone I knew, and several times if I saw what looked to be a mean dog, I would cross the street, before I knew it I was at the store.

It was always such an adventure, the store was small and people were visiting and having a good time. There was so much to see and everything looked and smelled so good.

I walked up to the counter and gave Mr. Kleen mama's list, he said he would get the items and have them ready for me shortly.

I started walking around the store and before I knew it, I was in front of the bins of candy, and what a selection. The candy was in big open bins and was either sold by the pound or by the piece, six pieces for a penny The smell of all of that candy almost made me faint from pure ecstasy. Oh, how I wanted some of that candy, perhaps a lollipop or an apple sucker. (Remember those apple suckers) The more I looked at it and smelled it, the more I wanted it. I knew that mama had given me the exact amount of money, not one penny more, and even if there was I wouldn't dare spend it.

I walked up to the counter, untied my hanky and gave the coins to Mr. Kleen. He said "that's just the right amount Marilyn, thank you." He was talking to a couple of ladies, they seemed to be having a lively conversation. I picked up my sack of groceries and snuck back to the candy aisle. I thought to myself there is so much candy here Mr. Kleen surely wouldn't miss a few pieces. I quickly began to stuff my pockets with candy and ran out of the store.

I took my time going home, consuming several pieces on the way it tasted even better than it smelled. When I arrived home I handed mama the sack of groceries.

She looked at me and said, "what do I smell, and is that candy on your face? Marilyn Joan where did you get that candy?"

By now she could see my pockets were filled with the ill-gotten gains, I knew I was in big trouble. I gulped and said, "oh mama, there was so much candy in the store and I wanted some so bad, and I didn't think Mr.Kleen would miss the few pieces that I took."

Mama looked me in the eye and said "took? Don't you mean stole? You know it is wrong to steal, go get your piggy bank."

With trembling hands I brought back my bank, I didn't have many pennies. They were hard to come by and I had been saving them for such a long time. She said "empty your pockets on the table." I bit my lip and tried to keep from crying, but the tears began to flow.

To be continued...