Tough Moments Happen

I enjoy writing about personal experiences with my family. I am interested in traveling, any culture, ancestry relationships and animals.

Abbey with Her Purse

Robbed

Abbey had just unlocked the driver’s car door when a tall man with a dark hooded jacket ran up and grabbed her purse. She was so startled that it took a few seconds for her to scream. She still had keys in her hand, so she jumped in her car, started it and took off after the man as he took off on a motorcycle.

Her husband’s mouth dropped open as he was walking toward the car. He didn’t see the robbery, so he had no idea why his wife had left him there. He watched her pull out very quickly, then, yelled at her to no avail.

Abbey was trying to see the license plate on the motorcycle and managed to get three letters. She couldn’t call the police as her phone was in the stolen purse. The man on the motorcycle had seen her follow him so he sped up weaving between traffic until he was long gone. She suddenly realized she had left her husband, who was probably standing on the sidewalk calling her on his phone. She found a place to turn around and headed back to her husband. She was crying by the time she drove back to him.

Her husband finally got in the car and yelled, “What in the hell is wrong with you? You just left me standing here! I was going to call a cab! Why are you crying anyway?”

“A man came up to me as I was getting in the car and grabbed my purse,” she sobbed. “I had the car keys in my hand, so I just wanted to get my purse back, but he got away on a motorcycle. I am sorry, Ben.”

“Calm down, Abbey. It will be alright. We need to call the police,” said Bruce.

“I know. I couldn’t call because my phone was in my purse.”

“That and a plethora of other assorted items,” her husband said trying to calm Abbey. “You are so impulsive. If you would not have pulled away the police would probably be here by now.”

“I suppose, but I just wanted to catch him,” Abbey replied as she was calming down.

“And, then what? Were you going to punch him? What if he had a weapon, Abbey. You could have been killed and nothing is worth that result. Tough moments happen sometimes, Abbey.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Abbey replied.

Happy Couple

Following Police Report

After they finished the police report they got in the car. and Bruce said, “Let’s head home, Honey. We have to cancel credit cards, call the bank and have your phone shut off, etc., etc.”

“I know. It is a royal pain you know where,” replied Abbey.

Once they arrived home, they started making phone calls. The woman at the bank told Ben that Abbey should also get a new driver’s license and social security card.

“I just hope that rotten man falls off his motorcycle or something!” The frustration showed on Abbey’s face as her husband walked over and hugged her.

“Honey, we will get through this. It is not your fault that the man overpowered you and grabbed your purse.”

Home

Satisfaction

Two weeks later Abbey answered the phone and heard, “Mrs. Miller, this is Officer Baker. Do you think you can recognize the man that stole your purse?”

“Oh, I'm not sure. It happened so fast, but I can try.”

“We have arrested a possible suspect that was caught with a woman’s purse, but not yours. He was also riding a motorcycle. If you think you might recognize the man you can look at a lineup this afternoon.”

“Okay. What time?” said Abbey. When she got off the phone she called her husband at work to let him know about the lineup. Ben told her he would pick her up so they could go together even though he didn’t see the man.

Abbey was a bit nervous, but still mad when she headed to the police station with Ben. When she arrived, Officer Baker walked her through the process of attempting to identify the man. Ben just listened quietly.

Abbey walked into the room with the detective and a police officer. When they opened the blind she saw the 5 men standing in a row. She took a deep breath and started looking at each man. She didn’t speak as the detective had told her to look at each man before she identified one. When her eyes saw the fourth man she knew he was the robber, but she looked at the fifth man just to be sure.

She looked at the detective and said, “It is number four.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Stevens,” the detective said, “We sure appreciate your help.”

“What happens now? Will I have to testify?”

“This man will go before a judge. He may get bail until his trial. It is too soon to know,” the officer replied. “You probably won’t have to testify as we caught him with another woman’s purse. Chances are, he will probably take a plea.”

“Thank you. I am so glad he is behind bars now.”

“I identified the robber,” Abbey said to Ben smiling brightly as they headed out of the police station.

“Great. That is great news,” said Ben as he grabbed Abbey and hugged her tightly. He was unconcerned that they had not left the police station yet. Then, they held hands and just kept walking.

The Temptations - Just My Imagination

© 2019 Pamela Oglesby

Comments

Pamela Oglesby (author) from Sunny Florida on July 23, 2020:

Hi Rajan,

I hope we don't start seeing more robberies I am glad you liked the story. Thank you for your comments.

Rajan Singh Jolly from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on July 22, 2020:

Reading this story makes me wonder if we are going to see a rise in such crimes now that joblessness is at an all-time increase post lockdown and a very badly bruised personal economy. Loved this short story.

Pamela Oglesby (author) from Sunny Florida on August 27, 2019:

Hi Maria, Thank you so much for your comment, full of praise. I am never secure about my fiction writing abilities, so I am glad you could related to Abbey. Love and hugs to you, Maria.

Maria Jordan from Jeffersonville PA on August 26, 2019:

Dear Pam,

This short story had a most satisfying ending. I found Abbey to be very relatable as you created her and loved the supportive protectiveness of Ben.

Beautiful writing. Love, Maria

Pamela Oglesby (author) from Sunny Florida on August 18, 2019:

Hi Genna, I may have reacted like Abby also. I like happy endings! Thanks so much for your generous comments.

Genna East from Massachusetts, USA on August 18, 2019:

This kind of theft happens all too frequently, Pamela. I'm a little embarrassed to say that I probably would have reacted the same way Abby did, and jump into my car to chase after him to get his plate number, anything that would result in his arrest. Kudos to Ben for his support, and for the positive ending.

Pamela Oglesby (author) from Sunny Florida on August 14, 2019:

Hi Linda, I am glad you found this story interesting, and your comments are appreciated.

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on August 13, 2019:

This is an interesting story. I would hate to be in Abbey's situation. I'm glad that the man was caught and that Abbey had a loving husband to support her. It makes a satisfying ending to the tale.

Robert Sacchi on August 13, 2019:

Yes, it's wonderful when a story seems to write itself.

Pamela Oglesby (author) from Sunny Florida on August 13, 2019:

Hi Robert, When I started writing this story I hadn't really planned it very well, but it just seemed to fall into place to cover the aspects of what is next after this crime. Thank you for your comments.

Robert Sacchi on August 12, 2019:

A good story about a small crime and a quick resolution. I like the way you went through what has to be done when a purse or wallet gets stolen.

Pamela Oglesby (author) from Sunny Florida on August 12, 2019:

Hi Vivian, The doll clothes event is a funny story. I'll bet the thief was disappointed. I don't feel especially skilled, but I sure appreciate your comments.

Vivian Coblentz on August 12, 2019:

Fortunately, I don't have any adult experiences with theft; however, when I was a young child, I visited a state park with my family. I liked to play with my mom's old purses, so I had "packed" one of her purses with doll clothes to put on my "baby." A thief saw it through the car window and broke into our vehicle. There were doll clothes strewn all over, but nothing taken. Ha! I'll bet that would-be-robber was super disappointed!

I didn't know you were so skilled at writing fiction! Bravo!

Pamela Oglesby (author) from Sunny Florida on August 11, 2019:

Hi Lorna, Thank you so much for your generous comments.

Pamela Oglesby (author) from Sunny Florida on August 11, 2019:

Hi Eric, I have heard of carrying important papers in your shoe or other unmentionable places. Haha

I think our first reaction is to find the thief and retaliate. I appreciate your comments.

Pamela Oglesby (author) from Sunny Florida on August 11, 2019:

Hi Bill, I don't think happy endings are too common, but this is fiction, right? I appreciate you comments.

Lorna Lamon on August 11, 2019:

Hi Pam, It's always difficult to convey the sense of fear and shock when something like this happens, and I think you did that very well. Your happy ending tied it all together. Perfect.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on August 11, 2019:

I understand your impression of my comment. But it is because I cruised around neighborhoods especially Quartier Pigalle in Paris where they just whip out a gun or knife. You carry some cash to hand over but your important stuff is in your shoe. Or someplace - not mention able. I just come from a space where the only reason for the cops would be to find him for me so he could be kneecapped.

I need to go back into therapy. More about love than the Old Testament.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on August 11, 2019:

A scene which plays out all too often in the U.S., but this one had a happy ending...hooray!

Pamela Oglesby (author) from Sunny Florida on August 11, 2019:

Hi Ms Dora, It is a big headache to have to replace documents supplied by the government in my opinion. I just thought about a simple story of a woman, with a supportive husband who has her purse grabbed out of her hands and the results of that happening. I appreciate your comments.

Pamela Oglesby (author) from Sunny Florida on August 11, 2019:

Hi Liz, I think there are a lot of unsolved crimes here also as purse snatching is a difficult crime for the police. I think it happens so fast it is difficult for anyone to describe the robber if they are disguised. In my fictional story, I chose a happy ending. Thank you for your comments, Liz.

Pamela Oglesby (author) from Sunny Florida on August 11, 2019:

Hi Eric, I can understand the difficulty in relating if you or a close loved one has never been robbed. Thanks for your comments, Eric.

Pamela Oglesby (author) from Sunny Florida on August 11, 2019:

Hi Lori, I hope it never happens to you. It is scary to get robbed. I appreciate your very generous comments.

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on August 11, 2019:

Pam, I was looking for more, then I realized that your ending put the focus right where you wanted it to be - on the tragedy of losing those important documents. Story well done!

Liz Westwood from UK on August 10, 2019:

This is a well written short story. You allow the reader to view the scenes playing out before their eyes through the dialogue and narrative. I especially like the fact that justice wins out in the end in the UK we sadly have a high rate of unsolved crimes.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on August 10, 2019:

Very well done on a hard topic. I was trying but I just cannot relate. I will tell my wife about it. I bet she will get it better than I. It must be so hard for folks like in your story.

I think I have run a little hard.

Lori Colbo from United States on August 10, 2019:

A robbery like that is scary. I have to admit, I would have done what Abbey did, go after him. I don't have a nice husband to tell me how crazy that is so hopefully it will never happen to me.

This was a well written story and I can't wait to read the next installment.

Pamela Oglesby (author) from Sunny Florida on August 10, 2019:

Hi Linda, I don't carry all of my credit card with me anymore for just that reason. I hope it never happens to either of us. Thank you so much for your very nice comments. Have a nice weekend, Linda.

Pamela Oglesby (author) from Sunny Florida on August 10, 2019:

Hi Chuck, Yes, I have never had my purse stolen, but our house being broken into was enough for me. They stole most of my jewelry and some of it was not very valuable but had great sentimental value. Thanks so much for commenting.

Pamela Oglesby (author) from Sunny Florida on August 10, 2019:

Hi Lonassi, What a horrible experience you had in Italy! I am glad you liked the story. I really like your saying about love. It is perfect. I appreciate your comments.

Linda Lum from Washington State, USA on August 10, 2019:

Pamela, this is well-written and very relatable for many. This exact scene probably plays out dozens if not hundreds of times each and every day. If it has not happened to you, you probably know someone to whom it has happened. Kinda makes me wonder if we should carry all of our "worldly goods" with us everywhere we go? Of course, we need our driver's license and a credit card if we're out shopping. In the words of Winnie the Pooh "oh bother!"

Chuck Nugent from Tucson, Arizona on August 10, 2019:

A well told and great story Pamela. This is something we all hope never happens to us.

Ioannis Arvanitis from Greece, Almyros on August 10, 2019:

My dear Pamela, that's an engaging and vivid story! I hope that it has worked as redemption for your traumatic experience. I have a similar one, and unfortunately in a foreign country. Several years ago, on a trip to Italy, someone opened our car and took all our papers! Without passport or driving license, and without speaking Italian was a really tough situation. But I learned a lot! Life is foul of tough moments, and maybe that's why it is so interesting! Thank you for sharing!

Love is the only treasure that cannot be stolen!

Sean

Pamela Oglesby (author) from Sunny Florida on August 10, 2019:

Hi John, I had my house broken into several years ago when no one was home, and it was still traumatic. I'm sorry to hear about your car. Thank you so much for your comments, John. Have a nice weekend!

John Hansen from Queensland Australia on August 10, 2019:

A nice story, Pamela, and very relatable. This scenario could happen to anyone. Having any property stolen is a proverbial pain in the you know what, especially when you have to cancel credit cards, phones etc. I had a car stolen last year and it was far from a pleasant experience.