Bad Habit

Fiction Friday: Theme: Pick a famous fictional character (for our purposes here it can be any character from fiction, mythology, legend, comic books...whatever) and give them a secret vice - at the very least it should be distasteful if not outright illegal. Now give the character's rationale in their own words.

Note: This is an exercise in learning about a point of view other than your own, not linguistics - so if you'd like Huck Finn to explain his drug use you can skip the accents or period English.

I was in the habit of doing something I knew was wrong but just couldn't help myself. If Darrin finds out - he would be furious. His eyes would grow large and he would give me that almost angry look that make me feel so guilty and forces me to look down at the floor.

What started out as a way to get back at the saleslady, turned into a compulsion that I could not stop. That saleslady was being so snobbish when I asked her for the price of a party dress for Tabitha. She said I couldn't possibly afford it and turned to help someone else. I didn't intended on doing it but the impulse was too great. I twitch my nose and switch the prices so that ugly green dress was more expensive than the pink one. I brought it to the counter where another saleslady didn't even notice anything was wrong. She told me to "enjoy my day" as she handed me the shopping bag. I said "thank you" and smiled at her.

When a outfit for Samantha's fourth birthday was just too expensive, I thought why not? They pretty much mark up the prices anyway and those stores make tons of money by barely selling anything. Of cause I had to change all the prices for all the same outfit. If I didn't they would have suspected something.

Darrin was please that I didn't waste too much money on just an outfit. If he knew the original price, he would have freak out. I told him they were having a sale. He kissed me with a smile on his face. Why would I disappoint him? His boss, Mr. Tate was pushing him to come up with new ideas for some campaign. He was just too busy and I didn't want to burden him with more worries.

The third time I tried it, I was caught. That is, they said they must have make a mistake since the other similar items were at much higher price. It was a teddy bear that speaks multi-languages. I was embarrassed and said, I changed my mind and practically dragged Tabitha out of the store. She was crying but I just could not go back there. I prepared dinner but felt guilty that I didn't get that teddy like I promised her. I asked Darrin during dinner, if we can get her the teddy bear. He said sure as long as it was not too expensive. I told him the price and he stood up so sudden his chair fell backward.

"Fifty dollars for a teddy bear?!!! Sam, are you out of your mind? What else does it do, teach science and math?" His sarcasm was always dead on. I told him to calm down and said it was only a suggestion and that I did not buy the bear. "Oh," was all he said as he sat back down and continued eating his dinner.

Out of guilt, I went to another store that sells the same bear. I went in the morning while Tabitha was at school and the store was less crowded. I remembered to change all the prices and was so nervous that I started to bite my nails. I quickly walked out of the store even before the lady said anything.

It was worth it to see Tabitha's face. She said "Thank you, Mommy," and gave me a hug. I told Darrin it was a different bear. He didn't suspect anything as he was too busy with work.

Of cause I stopped doing this, after all it's wrong. Okay, maybe I did it one more time but it was for Darrin's birthday present. I didn't want to disappointed him.

Mother appeared with a know-it-all smile but Darrin brushed her off. I knew that she knew. She always had a way of knowing. I warned her not to said anything. But she took delight in my wrong doing. She had never like me marrying a mortal. She and Darrin just doesn't get along. She left a big rock with Darrin's name and the word "loser" on it as a gift for his birthday. Then she disappear with a twinkle in her eye.

I smiled at Darrin nervously as we went back inside where our guests - Darrin's parents and Mr. and Mrs. Tate were chatting and drinking. We casually sat down and joined in the conversation. It was after all a dinner party for my husband's birthday.

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