The red tray

Two years ago, I did a terrible thing. I stole a red lunch tray from Subway. Now my theft was entirely unintentional. But that is no justification for my action. Today I finally took the opportunity to rectify my wrong.

See, on a Fall day much like today, back in 2006, I went with some co-workers to Subway. I ordered my sub for "here", with the expectation of eating right outside the restaurant and enjoying the beautiful weather. But when we walked outside, we noticed all of the tables were taken, so we decided to carry on to the square a few hundred yards away. I noticed everyone else had gotten their meals "to go", but I figured I could eat in the square, and then quickly return my tray. But once we got to the square, we noticed all of the tables had been put away for the Winter. To my dismay, the decision was made to walk all the way back to the office and eat there. I was faced with a challenging decision: either walk back to Subway, return the tray, and then hurry back alone, or carry on with my tray and stay with my friends. I chose the latter. Once back at the office, I found myself stuck with one bright red Subway tray. I had stolen it. I could not look myself in the mirror for the rest of the day. But I vowed I would return it at the earliest opportunity.

I did not live up to my vow. That tray sat in my office for close to 2 years, and amassed enough dust to prove it. But today, in view of the whole world, I walked back to Subway with my dust-covered tray. My friends thought I was a fool. Why did I still have this tray? Why on earth didn't I throw it away, or even recycle it? But, I tell you, that tray was not my tray to wantonly dispose of. Yes, it would have been easier to just toss into a garbage can, and my office would have looked better without that bright red dusty tray. But today I endured the shame and disgrace, and returned it to its rightful owners. And I feel that a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. And my office looks a little sharper.