I knew Gene, and if anything was missing in our third grade class, the teacher searched Gene. Searched his desk, locker and his socks and pockets. Once she found a ring in his mouth, right before he swallowed, she made him spit it out.
Gene always, totally denied stealing anything in 3rd grade. He said, “People hate me and stick stuff in my locker.” He said that and things were found in his locker:
A special 4 ink pen,
A five dollar bill with writing on Abraham Lincoln’s face that said, ‘Happy Birthday Dolly’,
A tube of Real Jell hair cream,
Two circus tickets,
An almost new catchers mit.
Every time Gene was caught he blamed other students.
There were people who disliked Gene. Others don’t like thieves, and Gene earned that label in school.
In school Gene got smarter in his stealing. Gene prospered in high school, and became rather wealthy as a young adult.
People lost stuff all around where Gene lived.
Neighbors lost cars.
Some wives ran away from their husbands, and were found with Gene.
According to tax rolls some people just gave Gene their homes, farms and businesses, then mysteriously disappeared.
The police thought it was all very queer.
Funny how people got LOST after being around Gene, and gave him their stuff.
Gene was a mystery except for some of us who were in his 3rd grade.
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Written by Ray Cates rcates2@cox.net
For stories and links to other writing go to: http://unsightlyteeth.wordpress.com