You Swapped My Bags, I'll Swap You

During a kindergarten parent-teacher conference, a rich wife accuses me of stealing her bag.

I'm baffled. I bought the bag myself abroad, and it even has my name etched on it. However, when I scrutinize the bag, I discover that my name is missing.

I call my husband, and he impatiently says, "I gave your bag to Jen. She's fresh out of college and needs an expensive bag to make herself look good. Even Finn said the bag is too young for you—it suits Jen more. You're too old for these things. You should be glad to even have a fake one."

I bark out an exasperated laugh. I can go without having a husband, but the bag has to be returned to me.

The wealthy woman grabbed me and wouldn't let me go, demanding I return her bag. But the bag was a fake. Melvin Quayle had switched it with mine.

Where had he gotten it? Had he actually stolen the real one?

I called the police, determined to prove I was innocent.

She hesitated, then suddenly lunged for the bag in my hands. "Just give it back. We don't need to get the police involved!"

That was when Jenny Jacobson stepped in.

"Willow, if you did take it, just give it back and apologize. Don't make this any worse." She turned to the kids. "Remember, always do the right thing. Never take what isn't yours."

The police came rushing over.

I grabbed Jenny's wrist and pulled her toward them. "I don't know how she ended up with my bag. Please, you have to check this out."

Moments later, Melvin rushed in and slapped me the second he saw me. "Didn't I tell you I gave your bag to Jen? What the hell were you thinking, calling the police? Are you trying to humiliate her on purpose?"

I kicked him with all my strength. He doubled over with a howl, clutching himself in agony.

"You took my bag, worth hundreds of thousands, behind my back. That's theft! And now this woman has the nerve to say I stole hers? Now suddenly I'm the thief? No way in hell I'm taking the blame for this!"

Seeing things spiral out of control, the wealthy woman panicked and dropped the act.

She jabbed a finger at Jenny. "Ms. Jacobson made me do it! She promised favors for my daughter if I accused Willow of stealing. I recorded everything she said!"

Jenny went pale, her eyelids fluttering. "This is just a misunderstanding, Willow. I was putting on a little skit for the kids about theft. I didn't get a chance to explain before you called the police."

I shot her a cold glare. "Skit or not, let the police handle it."

She was about to respond, but the officer cut her off. "Ma'am, please cooperate. We'll review the footage and any relevant evidence."

Melvin yanked me aside. "Enough. You're making a scene. I'll deal with the bag once we're home. Do you really