[Critique Group 1] submssion for 5-10-17 session from cleora

[sitting.duck at springmail.com]

888 words
Phillip's Burden
by Sly Duck 

Phillip’s little sister pulled insistently at his arm.
 “Come on," she said.
I want to show you something.
“No," he said firmly. "I don't want to. Now go away and leave me alone."
Phillip disengaged himself from her, and pulled himself up on the hood of the car. The metal was almost unbearably hot as he laid back against it, and put his arm over his eyes to shield them from the blazing summer sun.
“Please," she pleaded.
“No," he said in a final, don't bother me tone.
Phillip raised his arm enough to see Cindy was shuffling off toward Hunt's 5 'n 10.
He settled back against the metal remembering another hot summer day about a year ago.
He had gone into Hunt's Variety to look at the toys while his father was picking up some tools at the hardware store next door.
Among the toys, there had been a toy tractor exactly like his father's John Deere. 
Phillip had been certain his father would buy the toy if only he could show it to him.
He had called to his father to come see when he saw him come out of the store, When his father said, "no, come on, let's go." he ran into the store and grabbed the tractor and brought it out to show him.
His father had taken the tractor and him back to the store.
At the time, Phillip had been sure his plan had worked, but then his father had given the toy back to Mr. Hunt, and told Phillip to apologize for stealing it.
“Stealing it?" those words still burned in his memory like a branding iron.
“No, I didn't steal it," he had protested and tried to explain, but no one was listening.
Finally, Phillip had apologized, and they had gone home.
Ever since that day, he had been too embarrassed to set foot in the store again.
 “Phillip," a soft sweet voice broke his train of thought.
He raised his arm and looked down.
Cindy stood before him with a big smile on her face and a Teen Barbie in her hand.
It was the latest and hottest of the new line of Barbie dolls" according to the TV commercials.
 Phillip knew it was what Cindy wanted for her birthday, but he couldn't let on he had already bought her one.
“Where did you get that?" asked Phillip.
“From the store," she said, pointing in the direction of Hunt's Variety.
"This is what I wanted you to see."
Phillip’s blood seemed to freeze in his veins, and his stomach felt like it was in the grip of a tight fist.
He looked in the direction of the store. Mr. Hunt was standing in the doorway watching them.
Phillip swallowed hard.
Now he understood how his father must have felt.
The urge to run away and never come back washed over him like a waterfall.
He looked down at Cindy. Her little blue eyes sparkled with admiration for him. Her face beamed with expectation as she waited for him to see that the doll would make a perfect birthday present.
Phillip looked back at Mr. Hunt still standing in the doorway of the store, then down at Cindy.
He knew what he had to do.
He took a deep breath and slid down off the car. taking the doll from Cindy and placing her small hand in his, he led her slowly back to Mr. Hunt.
“Mr. Hunt," he began. "My little sister wanted me to see this doll so she brought it out to me. She really didn't mean to steal it. I know you think I'm a thief, and that I probably told her to take it, but really she only wanted to show it to me, and I didn't want to come into the store after what happened last year. I am real sorry Mr. Hunt. I hope ..."
Words failed him then.
Phillip had no idea how to say what he hoped.
He hoped that Mr. Hunt would somehow understand, that he wouldn't tell their father.
“I know," said Mr. Hunt.
"I know she didn't mean to
 steal the toy just like I knew you didn't mean to steal the tractor you took.
The important thing is that you and Cindy understand that it's wrong to take something without paying for it first, regardless of the reason.
Do you understand?"
“Yes Sir," said Phillip, "and I will be sure that Cindy understands too."
“Just remember," said Mr. Hunt. "If it happens again, I will have to tell your father, and call the police."
“Yes Sir," said Phillip.
"I promise, it will never happen again."
Phillip looked down at Cindy.
She was crying.
“I didn't steal it," she murmured through her tears.
“I know," said Mr. Hunt.
He knelt down in front of Cindy. "But you must never take something from the store without paying for it first. Do you understand?"
Cindy nodded her head.
Phillip handed Mr. Hunt the doll, and thanked him.
As he and Cindy walked away, he held his head high and there was a spring in his step.
He realized now that he had been letting his fear run his life. He promised himself then and there that he would never let that happen again.