Mmmm... it smells like robbery

Well, last night we had guests and so we decided to go out to eat. Now we had hundreds of places we could have gone and dozens of debates which we could have engaged in to fight for just the right restaurant. However, it was not necessary as well all happily agreed on Cracker Barrel. Nothing like some good ol' American cooking. One of the best things about the place is the store and how it has all these unique items/toys/and decorations. So of course I tottled (what a great new word) about and looked at this, and looked at that. But then low and behold I saw it with its brightly colored wrapper, the zebra gum!!! Oh, the memories behind this gum! Let me take you back about 14 years to when I was 4 and at a grocery store with my mother...........

There we were standing in line at one of the main check-out registers, when I noticed all the different kinds of gums and candies. I carefully choose which one I wanted and presented it to my mom with my strategic argument as to why it was so important to buy it. "Mom" "Yes Larissa" "Can I please have this pack of gum, I will be really good. And this gum is special cause it has tattoos on the wrapper and it is my faaaaaavorite Pleaaassssseee?" "No Larissa. You don't need the sugar and besides I don't like tattoos." Ohh my hope was dashed as Mom coldly turned away from the poor, adorable child. I looked at the pack in my hand. Looked at Mom's back. Then again at the pack and quickly slipped it into my coat pocket. She'll never know I thought as long as I am smart and hide it well
For the next few days as Mom would be cooking in the kitchen I would sneak out to the dark hallway and have a piece or two of my oh so delicious fruity stripe gum. Then one night (which I specifically remember) while Mom was talking to my grandma in the other room, I creped out longing for my adolescent fix...I was so enraptured with the amazing flavor and fruit burst that I didn't hear Mom walking toward me. Then All of the sudden her massive shadow illuminated out of the darkness and with a loud voice she announced her suspicions "Larissa, What are you doing!?!" The next few days were a blur for me, getting lecture after lecture from grandparents and mother alike. Suddenly my memory jumps to standing back in the grocery store, in front of a large man wearing a red vest. I admitted to him that I stole the gum but that I was returning it....Slowly I held out my little chubby hand and there in the palm was a half eaten pack of the fruity delicious gum.......Once again I was given a stern lecture, however this one was meaner then all the others and soon I was crying out of shame and watched him take back the pack of half-eaten fruity delight.


Fourteen years later I stare at the same gum which caused me so much trauma and drama in my childhood. I couldn't resist, I needed the same fruity fix which had been illegally given to me years before hand. So I did the mature thing. I purchased it and once again experienced the same, memorable fruity fix with the beloved gum.