Childhood Cigar Fetish
Illustration created with ChatGPT
When I was about three or four years old, I developed a strange fascination with cigars and pipes, probably because both my uncle and grandfather were regular smokers. I thought they looked important, almost regal, with those clouds of smoke trailing behind them.
One afternoon, driven by childish curiosity and without telling my mother, I hopped on my little bike and pedaled down to the corner liquor store. I somehow managed to steal a few cigars and ride back home, feeling oddly triumphant.
That feeling didn’t last long.
When my mother discovered what I’d done, she was furious. Without hesitation, she marched me straight back to the store, cigars in hand. She made me return them and apologize face-to-face to the store owner.
I did my best to make things right, but the owner wasn’t having it. He was still angry and that, somehow, made my mother even angrier than the stealing itself. I think she was more embarrassed by his reaction than by my crime.