When Tommy Was Stolen

I clearly remember the first major thing that was stolen from me.

I was the new kid in middle school: 6th grade, to be exact.  And, when not busy riding my bike into bushes or swimming in our apartment's pool, I spent my time doing what every kid in 6th grade does best--trying to fit in.  This did not come easily for me, but I tried nonetheless.

Tommy Hilfiger was unusually popular at the time.  My cousin had a tight-fitting black shirt that simply said "tommy," and I adored it.  I felt like royalty when she let me wear it.  "Can't you see how awesome I am in this shirt? See, it says Tommy."  On a Christmas visit to Oklahoma, my dad got me this really trendy little Tommy Hilfiger purse.  I loved it.  I was so proud to take it to school after the break, and, true to most adolescents, I just knew the world noticed me wearing it.

One day after school, I was wrapping up a conversation with one of my teachers when I suddenly realized that I didn't feel the slight weight of my purse on my shoulder.  Panic immediately struck.  I aimlessly bumbled all over the halls of my school, checking every place that I might have left it.  When I thought, finally, that I had remembered where it was, I rushed to the classroom.  Two girls were leaving.  I ran to my desk; it wasn't there.  My heart sank.  I asked the girls if they had seen my purse, and gave them a short description.  One girl looked me right in the eyes, smiled, and said she hadn't.  Even then, I knew that was a lie, but what was I to do?

Luckily, all that was really in there was my library card, my Bath & Body Works Kids Klub card (on which my first name was misspelled, but I didn't care because all the cool kids had them), and maybe some change or notes from friends.  But just knowing that I was looking the girl who took my purse right in the face and couldn't do anything (I was new, young, and had no proof--plus, she was one I really didn't want to mess with) just bothered me to pieces.  It still to this day pops into my head, and because of that one day, I will never forget her name or face.

This girl even had the nerve to wear it to school.  She gave it a little time, the smarty pants, but I knew it was mine.  I've always known it was mine.