Rehabilitation

I walked out of Jolly Five-and-Dime with Baby Huey. I braced myself for the cashier to come after me. Nothing happened. Occupying the back seat of the station wagon, the stolen squeaky toy and I made our way home. I was on edge during the entire ride. No one said anything.
I stashed the hot property in my closet. To have and to hold my beloved duckling gave me the greatest imaginable joy. And yet I was plagued by unbearable guilt and fear.
Working alone, I wrapped Baby Huey in birthday paper. I then presented my impromptu gift to the neighbor girl, and thereby reclaimed a useful place in society.