Overdraft! OverBoard!

If I was a magician I would have saved all my powers and tricks for this day when i went overboard with the overdraft of my best friend bank account. I had just started a job with two rideshare companies as a delivery driver. In order for me to get paid I needed a traditional bank account and not a prepaid card. So my best friend who was my ride or die had a bank account that was just in hibernation. Not even having a second thought, I quickly asked him could I use his Navy Federal Bank account for my pay/ he said here is my account number and pin number, just make sure you keep it in a safe place. I said Thank you so much , I truly appreciate it. You are more than welcome Will, that’s what fiends are for right. Yes sir you are absolutely right. As I proceeded out the house to pick up my next order, the wheels in my head started turning. So I I started this 1 man conversation with myself saying i need some extra money so that I can turn up a lil bit this weekend, and I'm not going to get paid until next weekend. Umm, I wonder if he has that overdraft protection on his account. I’ll see if i can withdraw that and then i'll just pay it back once I get paid. I just have to find a way to put it back so that he wont find out.

So after my shift I went to the ATM inside 711 and enter the pin and I was able too withdraw$500 from the overdraft protection option. Wow it worked. Weekend here I come.

So 3 months have gone by and my friend texted me and said-Will, do you have my ATM card, I need to get it so I can switch my direct deposit. Instantly my heart started racing because I haven't paid this money back yet and I know once the negative balance is discovered, the shit will hit the fan so fast.

So I said I have to find it, because I put it up somewhere when I moved so that it wouldn’t get lost. - inner thoughts- I hope this lie can buy me some more time. Ok Will let me know so I can take care of it. Will do.

Anothet 3 Months has come and gone - I couldn’t believe it has been 6 months and I have not made any move to rectify this debt. So as I’m sitting watching Tv my phone rings - Caller ID in bold letters - BESTFRIEND calling.

So I answered the phone and couldn’t even get hello all the way out my mouth and - I hear -Will have you found my Debit Card? This is crazy you don’t know where you put it at. You know how I am about my personal things and for you not to know what you did with it, is very irresponsible. I’m just going to have to order me a new card. I’ll call the bank this week .

Silence grips the line - my mouth becomes mute yet my inner experience is loud with -heartpounding, mind is speeding through the neighborhood called lies & deception located inside Hide-the Truth community development.

Then I mustard up enough deception and said -No, I’m sorry - I still haven’t found it. inner thought - this is eating me up inside, why don’t I just tell him the truth, I swear I don't know how long I can keep this up, and because I don't know how to budget and stay committed to my financial obligations - I'm not even able to repay the money.

It had know been 1 year, debt is still owed , card is missing yet not missing and I have not come clean with my best friend.

So here begins the Saga- Text Mesage from BESTFRIEND - Will! we really need to talk. Please call me ASAP! I standing in the kitchen while reading this short and right to the point text and instantly I know that lies and deception left on that Midnight train to Georgia and that the Debit Card in questions was about to teach me a vital, critical and character shaping lesson. So with fear I said Im free whenever you are. My thumb moved so fast that I thought I hit the send button for both of us - He said Will, today in about an hour will do. At this point I knew their was no where to run or hide and I reluctantly said ok, see you then with the inner feelings of panic,fear and chest pains.

So when I arrived to his house - it was just like some people love their alcohol beverages- give it too me straight with no chaser. My friend said, Have a Seat? Let us Get Right To It! So what do you know about my checking account with Navy Federal? My initial response was non-verbal - Drops Head, Covers Face with Hands and with tears flowing- I use the overdraft protection on your account and I lied to you several times so that I can buy some time to pay it back and so that you wouldn’t find out.

Omg How could you do this Will, you lied, stole , and act as if you knew nothing was wrong and all this time you had me believe that my card was missing. I am hurt, sad, disappointed, upset- I would have never expected this from you , why just tell me why.

As my friend expressed his disappointment and anger , I with tears asked him toplease forgive me, I take full responsibility for my actions. That part of me that has lied , cheated, deceived and hurt others had to be dealt with and I know that I can't continue to live life in this fashion. I hurt you , some I love and respect, but maybe I didn't love with wisdom because I wouldn't have stolen from my friend.

Will I forgive you but this will take time for me to heal, process and get over this. This has truly affected our connection and I don't know if I will ever trust you again like I did before.

I know my friend , I know and I understand. I will make full restitution of the $500 and any fees associated with it. I will type up a promise to pay debt obligation, we can get it notarize and we both will have a copy. I will pay it all back within 30 days.

Humm Right now Will, I don’t know what to believe.!Rightfully so, I will get going so I can do everything I stated. Will Ok, Enjoy the rest of your day.

Not even 2 hours later , I went back to my BESTFRIEND house and showed handed him the promise to pay letter, signed and notarize. I said with as much conviction i had left , I will start payments next week . ok, we shall see .

So 18 days later I handed in hand a money order for $560 to cover overdraft negative balance and extra to cover any fees. I only asked that you sign, stating that obligation has been fulfilled. Wow Thank You Will.

I walked away and started crying to myself / I have never recall such an intense feeling of regret before in my life. I wanted to disappear, rewind and or change time. Yet I eventually realize that true and authentic Change is initiated when personal accountability is claimed, it's one thing to know that change is needed but if there is no intentional action followed then change will switch and become circle. My life in the area of finances needed a total alignment and those flaws and traits had to be exposed, challenged and corrected. Once I paid back the money, then my finances which were stagnant now flows strong and free. I will not let this throw me overboard any more.

I regretted this the most because it was my BESTFRIEND and that my willful act of theft and deception had caused pain to someone I care about and also created this gap and breach within our friendship.