A would be thief

While shopping today a salesgirl kindly offered me a free calendar. I declined because I wasn't completed my shopping.

"If you change your mind they are just over there". She said.

"Thank you. I might just get one when I'm done." I replied. As I was speaking I glanced over and thought to myself that they were nice calendars to be giving away. Maybe I would get one. Away I wandered in search of what I had come for.

Happily I was able to find my item, I brought it to the cash and paid.

Again the cashier urged me to take a free calendar. "Take as many as you like".

"Really? Are you sure? As many as I want?" I asked doubtfully. I selected two and left the store.

I hear a voice behind me.

"Excuse me, Ma'am. The cashier believes she forgot to cash out those calendars for you."

I turned back perplexed. I actually looked behind me. He couldn't possibly be speaking to me.

"No, I don't think so. I only bought one item today. The calendars were free. The cashier said so."

He anxiously asked me to come back into the store. I complied. Really that should have been a clue.

I walked back over to the cash. Now all the staff are staring at me. Expectantly. I gesture to the display of calendars and the sign. I open my mouth but nothing comes out. Not right away. My brain is just now connecting the dots.

The free calendars are rolled up in a basket above the display of calendars for sale. And I took two. Mortification.

"Oooooooooooh, those are the free calendars. I thought you meant these ones." It sounds lame even to me.

I look beseechingly at the cashier. "That's why I asked you again. I'm sorry..."

There is only one thing to do. I take them out of the bag and place them back on the display shelf. Why can't the floor just open up and swallow me?

I suppress the urge to flee and with my head down I apologize all the way out the door.

As I exit I hear the cashier say, "It's okay, everything is alright now".

I don't know if I should laugh or cry.