The mechanic took the credit card to his front desk and swiped it.
Nothing happened.
He swiped it once again.
And like before nothing happened.
"Is everything OK sir?" Carl asked the mechanic.
"Actually, there doesn't seem to be any money on is card miss and I have to say Edward is quite an unusual name for a girl," said the mechanic, as he handed Laura back the card.
"Sir, there must be some mistake.
I do have a son name Edward, but my daughter's name is Laura.
So maybe you should..," said Carl as he stopped talking for a minute to realize something was up.
Laura did as well.
The mechanic gave the credit card to Carl, who looked it over.
And sure enough, the card Laura gave the mechanic wasn't hers but Eddie's.
While he was doing his best not to show it, Carl began to get a bit angry.
"I just can't believe Eddie would do something like that," said Maxine.
"That explains why Steve was acting odder than he usually does.
I think Steve saw Eddie switch the credit card while Maxine and I were upstairs," Laura pointed out.
Carl took his wallet out of his pocket, removed a credit card and gave it to the mechanic.
"Don't worry Maxine, I'll take care of this," he said.
"Thank you Mr. Winslow, but you don't have to do that," said Maxine.
Your my daughter's best friend Maxine.
You're always there for her, and today we're here for you."
As she gave Carl a hug, Maxine said, "Thank you Mr. Winslow.
I'll pay you back every cent.
I promise."
"You're very welcome Maxine, and you don't owe me anything," said Carl.
"Dad thank you so much.
I'll pay you back," said Laura, who also gave her dad a hug.
"Sweetheart, neither you nor Maxine have to pay me back.
But it looks like your brother has some explaining to do."
Sometime later on, about shortly after midnight actually, Eddie came home from his date.
However, while he usually returned from his dates in a great mood, this date was different.
Eddie came home looking depressed, tired and defeated.
The same feelings he'd had after losing a basketball game.
His clothes matched his mood, as they looked disheveled and food stained.
Edward James Winslow," a familiar voice called to Eddie.
He looked up to see his parents and sister, sitting on the couch, with unhappy looks on their faces.
Carl was still dressed in his police uniform, while Harriet and Laura had on their pajamas, slippers and robes.
"Mom, Dad, I'm sorry I'm home past my curfew.
But I can explain," said Eddie."
"It's not the curfew we're mad about Edward it's another issue," said Carl.
"What are talking about?"
"We're talking about the fact you took your sister's credit card," said Harriet.
"And the only reason I found out was because Maxine's car broke down, and when I gave the mechanic my card, he thought my name Edward.
Not to mention the looks on Steve's face and the tone in his voice, he knew what you did and was about to tell me, but you must had stopped him" added Laura.
"And judging by your look, I take it you went overboard on spending at the restaurant and didn't have enough to pay for the movie," said Carl.
"It was the opposite, I didn't have enough to cover dinner.
Did you know if you don't have enough cash, they make you wash dishes?" said Edward.
"Do tell," spoke Laura.
"Edward, you blew through two credits cards," said Carl.
"Now Carl, before we jump to any conculsions, let's asked Edward what happened to his card and why he needed Laura's," said Harriet, doing her best to keep the peace.
Eddie took a deep breath, let it out and answered, a sixty dollar pair of sneakers and a forty dollar jacket.
And while I was at the mall, I met Julie Ducan, and asked her out on a date.
But since I used up my card and didn't have cash, so I figured I'd borrow Laura's card and once I get the cash pay her back."
"Edward what were you thinking?" snapped Harriet.
"You really think I wouldn't take notice?" asked Laura.
"I'll pay you back.
I promise," said Eddie.
"It's not about the money Edward.
It's the fact you stole from your sister.
And worst off she and her friend were in a dire situation," said Carl.
"You're lucky your father just happened to be there at the right place and at the right time," said Harriet.
"Imagine if Laura and Maxine had broken down in the wrong part of town at this time of night."
"I guess I really blew it this time," Eddie said with a sigh in his voice.
"You better believe it young man.
You are not only going to pay me but your sister back as well.
First off, you will be giving half your allowance to Laura, to pay off her card," said Carl.
"Wait, I get 15 dollars a week for an allowance, does this mean I have to pay you the remaining five bucks?" Eddie asked.
"Oh no Edward.
Since I'm going to be picking up a few extra shift to help out that new dad on the force for the next couple of weeks, I will not be able to get work done around the house, so Edward, you will be doing the following chores.
Washing the car, cleaning the garage, mowing the lawn, cleaning out the gutters."
The good news is, since you do have school, I'm only going to let you do chores on weekends."
"Yes sir," Eddie simply answered.
He knew there was no way out of his situation.
The next day, Eddie was working one of his many assigned chore, which was cleaning out the gutters.
As he was getting off the ladder, Eddie met Laura, who was holding a glass.
"Hey, I've brought this out for you.
It's pretty hot out today," said Laura, as she handed her brother a glass of lemonade.
Taking the glass, Eddie gulped it down in one shot.
"Thanks I needed that," he said handing his sister the now empty glass back.
"How's the job going?"
"Not as bad as I thought.
No animals dead or alive, plus, I found the frisbee we threw up there 6 years ago."
"That's great."
"Well, this make it one down, and quite a few more to go.
But you know what, I've had it coming.
What I did was wrong.
I have a feeling I won't be seeing that credit card again for about ten years."
"Come Eddie, don't beat yourself up," said Laura, as she patted Eddie's shoulder.
"That's easy for you to say, said Eddie, Ever since we were kids, it was always the same.
Edward, why can't you keep you room clean like Laura?
Edward, why can't you get good grades like Laura?
Edward, why can't you be more responsible like Laura?
It never changes."