Reclaimed

I didn’t notice at first when it started going missing, small bits here and there. When my favorite sweater didn’t bring the same smile to my face as I pulled the sleeves over my knuckles, I thought maybe it shrunk it in the wash. By the time Christmas rolled around and I only felt annoyance, I realized too late that I’d been robbed.

I wrung my hands in anguish and gnashed my teeth, wishing for what I took for granted. I never understood how precious it was until I was bereft, cursing the nimble thief and their plunders.

Enough. I decided one day, drying my tears, I had to get it back. It was going to take planning and time. There were risks, but I knew I had to try. I played the long game, the slow burn. I put in the sessions, saw the experts, reflected and honed my abilities. I was wondering one day if I would ever be able to pull off the daring double-cross, when suddenly I found myself sitting and smiling to myself, holding a cup of hot tea. A tear forming in my eye, I sat victorious, joy and contentment were mine again.