Davon: “Wait up Madge!” 

Cries Davon panting trying desperately to keep up with his older sister

Madge: “Hurry up slowpoke!”

She cries glancing behind her as she sped off towards the bakery

Madge: “Shhh!”

Says Madge to Davon pressing a finger to her lips as she sidled along the wall so she could get a visual of the bakery’s front door.

Davon: “But Madge,” he protested. 

As they continued to sidle along the wall

Madge: “It’s alright .”

She hissed back as quietly as possible

Madge: “I’ve done this a thousand times. The sooner you learn the way it is for people like us the better.”

Davon: “People like us?” He questioned.

But Madge had already turned away trying to scout the next best move to keep from being spotted. She needed to focus. They could not be caught, but all she felt was discord. Completely eaten up inside by the difficulties placed on her and Davon who was still all so young.

Luckily (for the children the baker not so much) the bread was placed in a three-tiered tower of woven baskets close to the door. They began inching closer and closer to quickly peer inside the bakery. Upon looking inside Madge and Davon spotted the baker with his back turned away from the door as he pulled fresh pastries out of the oven. They smelled sweet and delicious but they had to hurry and do what they had come to do. Both swiftly reached their arms around the corner of the door and took a loaf of bread.

Davon: “Where are we going now, what are we going to do with all this bread?” 

He shouts running blindly after Madge who was bounds ahead of him.

Davon: “Shouldn’t we share it with mom and dad?”

Madge: “Are you crazy? Where do you suppose we say we got it from huh?”

Davon: “But Madge, mom and dad will be hungry too…”

Madge: “….You’re right.”

She laments pausing to think and catch her breath standing on the path leading towards home

Madge: “Let’s just go home, I'll think of something…”

Mrs. Muiner: “I’m worried sick, where could those children be…”

She says peering out the front door of the restaurant

Madge: “Okay so here’s the plan. We need to approach the restaurant from the back because mom will be looking for us out the front door. Dad should still be in the kitchen. All we have to do is have you go through the front as I come from the back. I can go down through the cellar and tell mom and dad there was extra bread down here that they missed okay?”

Davon: “Uhm well I mean if you say so, Madge.”

He says cautiously.

Davon: “You know it is hard to get anything past mom.”

Madge: “Yeah but we have to try. Without this bread, we won’t have near enough for dinner again tonight.”

Mrs: Muiner: “Davon!”

She screams as he slinks towards the restaurant worried about what is to come.

Mrs. Muiner: “Where have you been? Why did you just leave like that? I was so worried. Where is your sister?”

Davon: *beginning to cry* “I’m sorry he hiccuped out between sobs not only to stop his mother’s questions but it also always felt bad to make her feel worried or disappointed. She went through the cellar.”

Mr. Muiner: *Hears the door to the downstairs storage area open and close*. “Madge is that you?”

Madge: “Yes, father.”

Mr. Muiner: “What are you doing down there? Where did you go? Your mother and I were worried sick about you.”

Madge: “Dad I’m sorry.”

Mr. Muiner enters the cellar

Mr: Muiner: *sighs* “Madge it can’t always be I’m sorry you need to be more mindful of your responsibilities. We needed you tonight while we were closing down the kitchen. We didn’t know where you were or where you went. What if you had gotten hurt if someone grabbed you? Do you understand?”

Madge: “Yes and we’re sorry, but dad look we have extra bread down here that we missed! She says beaming proudly.”

Mr. Muiner: stays quiet a moment or two… “Madge, we just took inventory this morning. What did you do?”

Madge: “… nothing I’m sorry father but I swear the baker gave it to us. I knew if I told you that you would be too proud to take it.”

Mr. Muiner *grabs her arm and pulls her close, getting impatient now*: “Madge WHAT did you do? Stealing, lying? I thought you knew better than this. Is this how we raised you?”

*Madge looked down in fear and shame*: “I’m sorry I just didn’t want us to be hungry…”

Mr. Muiner: *looks at her and hugs her close*: “I know my darling but stealing is still wrong. Times are hard now but they can’t always be. We have one another so everything is going to be alright.”

*Madge still looking down crying.*

Mr. Muiner: “Hey look at me, look at me. You understand, right? Tell me you understand.”

Madge: “Yes sir.”

Mr. Muiner: “Good, now go upstairs for dinner.”

*Madge slinks her way upstairs.*

*Everyone sits down for dinner*

Mrs. Muiner: “Sees the two fresh loaves on the table. Oh, honey where did you get the fresh bread from? It looks delicious.”

Mr. Muiner thoughtfully: “Ask your children.”

*Madge looked at her father with pleading eyes.*

Mr. Muiner: “Tell your mother where you got the bread from.”

Madge: *Mumbles low* “We took it from the bakery…”

Mrs. Muiner: “Speak up.”

Madge: A little louder- “We took it from the bakery.”

Mrs. Muiner: “Madge?! What have you done? We have no way to pay for this. What do you two have to say for yourself?”

*Both children together heads hung low* : “We’re sorry.”

Mrs. Muiner: “We are going back there tomorrow and you are going to repay the baker by cleaning his shop. Do you understand?”

Both children: “Yes mother.”

Dinner passes in awkward silence and everyone eats their portion a bit more satisfied than usual. The bread was both a blessing and a curse. It was nice to have and be more full, but they also felt ashamed of how it was acquired because they know how hard it is to make a living off the food you prepare.