I was at home marking papers for my class and my husband was in the living room watching television when there was a knock at the door. I ignored it figuring that my husband would get it. In a few moments my husband was in the doorway.
"Beth, there are two policemen here and they want to see you."
I frowned at him but I rose and walked out of our kitchen into the front room. There were two rather large men standing there and they both flashed badges at me. I stood, wondering what they wanted.
"Mrs. Johnson, we have a very disquieting report about theft and thought we should come around to clear it up."
"Well, I will be happy to help you."
"Very good. Now Mrs. Johnson, do you shop at Valerie's?"
"Well, yes, I do."
"There have been some accusations that you have stolen several items from the store."
I just stared at him as he took out a notebook and opened it.
"It seems that you are accused of stealing, ah, three bras and ah, five pairs of underpants, woman's underpants."
"I did no such thing!"
"Can you produce a receipt for the items? You do admit that you have several items from Valerie's, don't you?"
How did they know that? I just stared at them, blankly.
"Mrs. Johnson?"
"Ah, yes, I do shop there."
"Well, do you have these items?" "Well, yes, I have some underthings from Valerie's, but my husband was with me when I bought them and he paid for them."
I looked at my husband and the two officers did also.
"Mr. Johnson, do you have a receipt for the items in question?"
My husband looked at me and then at the policemen.
"Ah, no, when we came home Beth threw the bag away."
I stared at him, my mouth working soundlessly.
"Well, since you do not have evidence of purchase, we'll have to take the items in as evidence. Mrs. Johnson, would you please get them."
I stood, rooted to the floor. I was in shock. I had never shoplifted anything and here I was being accused of theft. The largest officer stood and took my arm.
"Where are they Mrs. Johnson?"
"U-u-upstairs."
I hated the way my voice cracked and the fear I felt in my stomach. I hadn't done anything; my husband had paid for everything. This had to be dream, it couldn't be happening! The large officer gently pulled me to the stairs and like a convict heading to the gallows I walked. I climbed the stairs with the officer behind me, his face at the level of my bottom, making me very aware of his eyes on me. I shuddered inside.
We walked to our bedroom, and I haltingly walked to my dresser, pulling open my underwear drawer. As I picked through it, intending to take out the Valerie's things, I felt his presence behind me. He was peering over my shoulder at my underwear. He gently moved me aside and pulled the entire drawer out.
"Are there any others?"
I felt blood rush to my face.
"Ah, yes."
"Where are they?"
"I-I-in the hamper."
"You mean dirty underthings?"
I shuddered again and could only nod.
"Get them."
I walked slowly to the bathroom where our hamper was. I was so embarrassed! He stood outside the bathroom door, watching as I sorted through the clothes, taking out my used underpants and one bra.
"Is that it, then?"
"Y-y-yes."
"Downstairs, Mrs. Johnson."
I clutched my soiled underpants and bra to my chest and haltingly walked down the stairs with him following me. I walked into the living room. My husband was sitting in a chair and the other officer was on the couch. The large officer walked by me as I stopped, still clutching my soiled clothes to my chest. He overturned the dresser drawer, dumping all my underthings on the coffee table.
"Would you please take out the Valerie's items, Mrs. Johnson."
I knelt before the coffee table, hiding my soiled underpants and bra between my legs. I flushed as I began to pick through my underthings. I was so embarrassed as they saw my two thongs and two pairs of sheer french cut underpants that I bought for my husband. There was also a push up bra that left my nipples bare, that was also for my husband and now two strangers were seeing them. I put the few Valerie's things to the side. When I had finished they picked up each item, checking the tags to be sure they were from Valerie's. The two sheer panties were in that pile and I flushed as they looked at them, seeing that they hid nothing. One of them smirked at me. My face was burning.
"Is that all, Mrs. Johnson? We have two pairs of pants and two bras. Records show that there are five pairs of pants and three bras. Where are the others?"
I trembled and handed them the two pairs of soiled underpants. I dropped the other bra on the pile of clothes that were not from Valerie's. They checked the underpants, inside and out, smirking at me as they noticed the soiled gusset of the underpants. I could have died of shame. My husband sat like a lump on his chair, not believing what was happening.
"There is a pair of pants and a bra missing."
I mumbled.
"Speak up Mrs. Johnson."
"I-I-I have them on."
"Well, let's see them."
I looked at him in shock and my arms instinctively clutched my body. They couldn't be serious. I stood staring at them.