Stories, Strategies and Surprises

Stealing From Panera

August 24, 2026

I walked out of the gym one morning into a cold, dreary New Jersey rain.

After my challenging workout, I gingerly lowered myself into the driver’s seat. Taking stock, I felt cold, damp, and hungry. My butt muscles hurt and I didn’t think my packed lunch of edamame, turkey, and pineapple was sufficient to fuel my entire work day.

A warm cup of turkey chili from Panera seemed like a nice addition to my little lunch.

I pulled over, opened the Panera app, ordered my chili. I appreciated the convenience as it would be ready for me when I arrived. I chose the option to pick it up myself in the cafe. Of course. I’m a considerate human. I don’t need a server to have to run through the rain while I stay dry in my comfy car.

Arriving, I figured I’d run in real fast and grab that chili.

With only my umbrella and keys, I left my purse behind as I made a beeline for the pick up shelf. As I spotted my little brown bag sitting all alone, I heard my name called.

Turns out, the ice tea was suggestive selling. “Kathy, take me home. I’m delicious.”

Yum. A large cup of ice, tea sweetened with stevia, and a hint of caffeine enticed me to grab a cup. Just what the doctor ordered. As I waited behind a woman filling her cup with ice, I realized I had no purse or phone to pay for my drink. Uh oh.

I was in a quandary.

My head was on swivel between that alluring ice tea machine and my car parked far, far away in the cold drizzle. I might have looked lost, but there was no one around to notice me except for the woman slowly topping off her soda.

Undisturbed, I had the freedom to swivel my thoughts back and forth as I debated the choices before me.

I want an ice tea. I don’t have money. My desire is in front of me. My purse is far away. I’m dry and kinda warm. I don’t wanna be cold and damp again (and again and again). The cup is in reach and I could just take one without paying for it.

Which, in case you haven’t caught on, would be stealing.

That was interesting. Here I was, an adult woman with a purse full of money, contemplating how to get my iced tea without the discomfort of two extra trips in the cold drizzle. My body joined the conversation and suggested I limit extra travel time given how sore my butt and legs were in the moment.

My angel and devil, one on each shoulder, were having a lively debate.

Which was interesting ‘cause my feet would’t move. There was no way I was stealing from Panera.

I really wanted that ice tea and I really wanted to stay dry. It seemed a long time that this debate went on, but I think that’s just proof that I was a bit foggy and required caffeine in the moment.

When the woman moved away from the drink machine, it hit me. Eureka!

I had ordered my chili online. I could take the drink, go to my car (in one trip), and order a drink. I’d be warm and cozy. Panera and I would be square. And my angel would’ve earned her halo. That’s a win, win, win.

I left Panera feeling proud, soon to be satiated, and righteously moral.

Before heading to my office, I opened that app and paid for my small drink. I sweetened my ice tea, blasted the heat, and took a sip. Sweet success. I didn’t give it another thought until an hour later when I reached for my drink.

I looked at my big cup in confusion. How did my small ice tea get so large?

Then it dawned on me. I grabbed a large to go cup, as usual. So here I was drinking a large ice tea after paying for a small drink.

So, I guess I stole from Panera after all. 1 point to that tricky devil.

Guess where I headed the next day? I figured I could explain to the manager that I stole the difference between a small and large ice tea. Maybe together we could do the math and I’d hand over my dollar and change. But I decided to just pull up the app and order a large drink. Then I sauntered into Panera (with my purse) and grabbed my tiny cup of ice tea.

My angel was happy with that decision. My devil just called me a wimp.

Peace be with you and with all. No exceptions.