When Jared “stole” Audrey's graphing calculator

When Jared was a junior in high school and Audrey a freshman, they both took math classes that needed them to buy and bring in graphing calculators. Even though the devices were very expensive, their parents got one for each of them.

Early on in the year, Jared lost his. It was what it was. He just lost it and there wasn't much more to say about the issue.

At the same time, Audrey's math class never once used theirs. So, in the spirit of not caring too much, Audrey lent hers to Jared. He didn't need it immediately, but his class did use them every once in a while. He just kept it in his backpack indefinitely.

One morning, as Jared was riding the bus to school, he got a call on his rudimentary cell phone from BOTH Memo and Steve.

They were absolutely livid. Apparently, this was the one day that Audrey actually needed her graphing calculator, and somehow, they thought that Jared STOLE it from her on purpose.

He tried to explain to them that he didn't steal it at all. He didn't even take it from her. The graphing calculator just happened to stay in his backpack over the course of the whole year because Audrey never used it. Nobody told him she needed it.

It was no use. Jared remembers that his parents' level of anger was completely unreasonable given the “offense” that had occurred. On just the brief bus ride phone call, they were already mentioning punishments and groundings as if he had completely sabotaged Audrey's school year.

Jared remembers that his parents stayed angry for at least another day despite the situation being very clear cut. They never apologized, either. Jared was used to nonsensical arguments in their home, but this one in particular was especially ridiculous and pointless... because he TRULY didn't do anything.  ❒

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