Robert, I wish I could help you,”
Mr. Peterson said over the phone.
“But company policy doesn’t allow advances. You know that.”
Robert fell to his knees beside Lily’s bed, watching his daughter struggle to breathe. Her lips were turning slightly blue and her small hands were shaking. He knew that without medicine, Lily might not make it through the night. That evening, after Lily had fallen into a restless sleep, Robert made the hardest decision of his life. He put on his old jacket, kissed his daughter’s forehead, and walked into the cold night air.Courtroom
The pharmacy on Elm Street was busy, even at 8:00 in the evening. Families were buying medicine for their children. Elderly people were picking up their prescriptions, and teenagers were buying cough drops for winter colds. Robert stood outside the glass doors for 10 minutes, his hands shaking not from the cold, but from fear. He had never stolen anything in his entire life. He was a good man who worked hard and always tried to do the right thing. But watching his daughter suffer had pushed him to a breaking point. He pulled his baseball cap low over his eyes and walked into the bright pharmacy.
The shelves were filled with bottles and boxes of medicine that could save Lily’s life. Robert found the children’s fever medicine and the special breathing treatment that Lily needed. Together, they cost more than he made in two days of work. Robert looked around the store. The pharmacist was busy helping an elderly woman, and the cashier was counting money in her register. His heart pounded so loud he was sure everyone could hear it. He slipped the medicine into his jacket pocket and walked toward the door as calmly as he could. Just as he was about to leave, a strong hand grabbed his shoulder.
“Excuse me, sir,”Child advocacy group
said a security guard with kind eyes, but a serious voice.Child development resources
“I’m going to need you to empty your pockets.”
Robert’s world crashed down around him. He thought about running, but he knew that would only make things worse. With tears in his eyes, he pulled out the medicine and handed it to the security guard.
“Please,”
Robert whispered.
“My little girl is very sick. She needs this medicine or she might die. I don’t have any money, but I promise I’ll pay it back somehow.”
The security guard looked at Robert with sympathy, but he shook his head.
“I’m sorry, sir. I have to call the police. That’s the law.”
