I am the kind of guy who leaves things behind everywhere I go. Restaurants I frequent and friends often have a basket specifically for me. Jackets, glasses, any personal possession you can carry have been left behind. I’ve actually lost vehicles but that is a different story.
Earlier this year Alastair and Brooklyn bought me a really great black Car-hart hoodie. I loved it. But as is oft the case I focused on something else, took it off without remembering where, and lost it. I have become very good at losing things and not getting upset. I have donated more jackets to the universe than most goodwill stores. But this one meant a lot to me. I looked everywhere for it and called everyone who I had visited. Nothing. This was when I formed my cunning plan. I would go purchase a new one so my kids would not find out I had lost it. They would never know.
I agonized for an hour at Mark’s trying to figure the the style, cut, and brand of Hoodie. I enlisted the help of the attendant after telling her my story. We nailed it. Black Car-hart, extra large, writing on the sleeve, pockets and labels in the right place. I was proud of myself. I was a bit shocked when I got to the till and realized how much my kids had spent on me and humorously told myself I wish they had purchased a cheaper hoodie now that I had to buy it. This wasn’t true though, I really loved the hoodie. I proudly wore the hoodie everywhere I went. Secretly I was chuffed I had pulled it off. Brooklyn never said a word as I strutted around in it for months. I even bragged to my oldest brother about my deception.
Alas, Alastair came home this Christmas. We went and worked out together after which I offered to buy him lunch. As we were eating lunch he looked over at me:
“Nice hoodie.” he complimented, “where did you get it?”
My mind started racing, “I got it from you and Brooklyn.” I lied.
Alastair looked at me, his eyebrow arching, a slow grin on his face forming, “You trying to pull a fast one on me?” He challenged, now grinning knowingly like a detective with a suspect firmly in his sights.
My mind sped up even further as I looked down at my hoodie, did I get the wrong one? Was there a mark on the old one, how had I not fooled Ali???
“Brooklyn thinks it’s the one you guys bought me.” I clumsily thought out loud as I tried again to make my deceptive but sinking case.
“Well it’s not, I have it.” Ali said firmly as we both burst out in laughter. I had left it at his home in Edmonton when we moved him up in the fall.
Be sure your sin will find you out.
If you read this far, thank you. Tris.