Breaking and Entering

WHEN GOSPEL SINGING ENDED, I was in a good mood, as I usually am after gospel singing, although I dislike gospel music. I thought I had sung fairly well, and, as always, had participated in a good, healthy, community activity,though not one of my own choosing. It makes me feel good, and Its fun. The lady sitting next to me, a good friend of mine, turned to me, handed me her car keys, and asked whether I would be willing to walk to her car, and retrieve a shopping bag full of stuff from her back seat. She is currently dealing with tendonitis,and is using a cane,so, of course, I said,I would be happy to help. As I walked through the parking lot, I began to vaguely feel that I wasn't sure which car was hers. A long line of SUVs, about the same shape and size, with slightly different colors. One of them was hers..but..which one? I felt silly: I have seen her car many times. I found the one I thought was hers, got the bag out, and took it inside. When I showed it to her while handing her keys back, a look of horror spread across her face, and she said, quietly: "No, this isn't the right one". I tried to stay calm, and found it difficult. I suddenly realized that I had, in effect, broken into and entered someone's car, and had stolen an item from it, which I currently had in my possession. As calmly as I could, I aked my friend to state the make, model, and color of her SUV, which she did, stammering in shock. Hastily I jogged back out the door, through the parking lot, and back to the car from which I had accidently stolen the merchandise. I replaced it, without detection. I felt fortunate that I had been able to remember which car was the wrong one I had broken into. It could have been worse. I could have put the grocery sack in the wrong car again,in a third car. That probably would have been enough to trigger rumors of a local crime spree, and to gain airtime on the local if not regional TV news...I found her car, and found another grocery sack with stuff in it, and took it to her. This time, I was right. We were both relieved. I was also rewarded; one of the items in the bag was a gift for me; a current issue of "Mother Jones" magazine, one of my favorites. With regard to my friend, I am quite sure of two things. One, she was amazed at what I had done, and wondered how in the world I could possibly do something so stupid. Hadn't I known her for years? And hadn't she had the same car the entire time?... And two, she is still amazed at my stupidity, and will so remain for the rest of her natural life, at least. That's understandable. Me, not amazed so much, although altogether I rather wish the whole embarrassing, frightening episode hadn't happened, funny though it seems now. It doesn't surprise me, because I know myself. I spend a lot of time thinking about a lot of things, but I don't sepnd much effort keeping track of cars. I tend to be absent minded, day dreamy, often lost in revery. I can remember picking up a cell phone, pointing it at the television, and trying to change channels with it, before suddenly realizing that I was not holding the remote control. I have found lost books in the refrigerator. And worse. And more. Too much to remember, too much to even want to remember.