Have you ever been so preoccupied that you walked out of a store without paying? I have. I did. Today! I was in my favorite children’s book store, The Blue Manatee, in Cincinnati laughing and talking with old and new friends. One of the employees is a teacher I used to work with, and who works there part time. Every time I visit on a Saturday we hug and catch up with each other’s news. And today was extra special because I got a chance to meet a children’s author. Louise Borden, is a native Cincinnatian who has written several books for children and young adults. She read from some of her books and talked to the kids and parents in attendance.
I picked up a picture book, Big Brothers Don’t Take Naps and her new non-fiction The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H. A. Rey. She graciously signed both copies and we talked for a long time. I was fascinated with her story as an author. I also learned that we have a lot in common, having been and lived in many of the same cities around the world.
We chatted for so long, that when I walked out of the store, autographed books in hand, I was in a happy fog and simply left without paying! I didn’t realize my mistake until I got home and started showing my husband my new purchases… uh, are they called purchases if you don’t purchase them? Yikes! I called the store right away, explained what had happened and gave them my credit card number over the phone. Whew! Yes, these are my new purchases!
Juliana Lee 
I have done that (walked out without paying) and it is soooo embarrasing…and I’m always worried when I go back in that they’ll think I did it on purpose…but usually the response is rather jovial!
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I guess when go back in, or call as I did, they know you didn’t really mean to walk away without paying!
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Oops! Glad the store gave you a mulligan!!
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Hahahahaahhhaahaahha! I do a LOT of business with them!
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Hi Juliana! Thanks for visiting my website. I think you’ve done a great job with your website. It looks fantastic! I hope to hear about your debut children’s book soon! Thanks for your congrats!
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Haha, I’ve done that before, leaving items in a stroller’s basket under the seat, and in a shopping cart under everything else. Every time I’ve gone back in the store, which is really a pain when you drag 2 kids around. At least, it sounds like you had a great conversation before your theft. 😉
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You know, I was avoiding the words steal and theft, but since you brought it up…. I totally missed the BOOK THIEF angle!
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Oh, haha, that would have been perfect!!! One of my favorite books, by the way.
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Now THAT sounds like something I’d do!!! 🙂 Too funny!
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OK faceless angie, make me go look you up! You’re littlebirdie! Hi! Welcome to my life, please come back and visit now and again!
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