Arrested part 2

So when Russ and I were entering the bathroom a small man was leaving. We walked in and I took out the sweatshirts that I had in my coat and Russ opened his bookbag to put the stuff in. As all the stuff was out on the sink counter the same small man walked back in and then immediately turned around and walked back out. We both panicked and Russ zipped up his bag and ran out of the bathroom. I was stuck with 2 huge sweatshirts and started looking for places to hide them. I went to the toilet, opened the top and thought of putting them in the inner workings of the toilet, but it was too small and I thought, maybe the guy wasn’t security and we we’re just being paranoid. I also thought that the sweatshirt was awesome and I wanted it.

So I put them back in my coat and walked out of the bathroom. Now I’m not sure I mentioned in my last blog that there was a long hallway from the bathroom back into MACYS, but there was. I remember being at the end of the hallway right near the door to the bathroom and seeing Russ stopped and talking to two guys who I knew were security. I began walking down the long hallway and thinking “They are not going to stop you, just keep walking,” I kept walking and they didn’t look at me yet. I just kept telling myself “you’re gonna make it, you’re gonna make it.” I was about 10 feet away when they looked up at me and I just knew I was caught. I stopped, dropped my coat, and hung my head in shame. I remember hearing the sound of the hangers clang as they hit the floor. I should’ve fucking ran. Security picked up the “hot” items and escorted us to the MACY’s holding area. At this point they separated Russ and I into 2 rooms and interrogated us.

Let me just say now, that when I grew up my family didn’t have much money and the people I hung out with didn’t have much either. That being said, a lot of my traits and ethics came from the streets, and telling on people is a no no. I feel stupid saying that but its true. Now back to me being interrogated.

They sat me down and left for a bit. I found out that they were interrogating Russ first, then they would come back for me. After some time they came back to talk to me. In times like this I turn into a 9 year old boy, a scared and innocent boy who doesn’t know what to do and needs your help. Partially because I want to get out of trouble and partly because I am scared. They asked me what happened and I told them the story without incriminating my friends. They told me Russ had some CD’s and other stuff that he admitted to stealing. They tried to get me to say it was all Russ’s idea and he was in charge. I said no, but with my eyes was trying to relay that it was. Kinda shitty but I wanted to get out of this thing. Next they told me that Russ said, Jeff who worked at Foot Locker told us that we could take this stuff. Totally telling on Jeff. I said that it wasn’t true and that Jeff had no idea that I took the stuff. As I saw it, we were caught and there was no reason to bring Jeff down too. After all snitches get stitches yall.

After they were satisfied with the stories, I started to grasp at straws to get out of this. I asked if I was gonna be ok because I was not an American citizen (which I am not, I am a citizen of Japan but a legal citizen of America with a green card. I was born in Japan and could change citizenship but it is kinda my way to have some pride for my Japaneseiness.) and would I get deported back to Japan. They laughed and told me that I better get used to eating sushi. That hurt. They said other shitty things but that sushi line sticks with me. Worst of all there would be no slap on the wrist. They called the cops and we were gonna be booked. The police got there and put me in handcuffs. That shit hurt, the cuffs were really tight and I was cuffed so my hands were behind my back. So when I was put in his squad car I was sitting on my hands. I was brought to the police station and was escorted to a holding cell.

Next was the fun stuff. They took my fingerprints and also my mugshot. I remember trying to look really tough in my photo. Then I had to call my parents, which rates as one of the worst moments of my life. I recall telling my mom I was arrested and her not believing me. Thats because I would call her regularly and make her believe that horrible things have happened, and then when I got her to believe me I’d tell her it was a joke. Terrible but really funny. The police officer had to get on the phone and tell her it wasn’t a joke. I wished it was a joke. My folks had to post bail and pick me up.

Before we could go home I remember I had to stop at my friend Dustin’s house because I left something important there. I think I was gonna sleep over there and left my bag there, or something. I walked into his room soo somber and scared, I told him what happened. I remember he just started to smile and then erupted with laughter. I don’t remember what he said but I do remember it was some of the funniest, insensitive shit ever. As I grabbed my bag and left he continued his song of wonderful insensitivity. I remember before I left his room him referencing a time when I got in trouble and my dad took a knife put it too my thumb and said if this was Japan I would be thumbless (my dads not crazy, he’s the greatest dad ever just don’t drink underage or he will cut your thumb off). I left Dustin’s, got in our car and went home. Back at the homestead, my parents went ballistic. They were soo disappointed in me. My mom was crying, my dad was throwing things that he bought me at my face. He kept grabbing things that he bought me and telling me that he worked his butt off to give me the things I wanted…then he would chuck them at me. I saw how much I hurt them and it killed me. Seeing people you love disappointed in you, crying, and hurt is maybe the worst thing in the world.

I learned that night that what I did was not worth all this and I don’t think I will ever forget that. I have not stolen anything (of importance) since that day. In a weird way I’m proud of me getting arrested because I truly believe I’m a better person for it. I made a mistake and I learned from it. Now go out and get arrested.