It's been a rough week.

After a brutally long day at work on Monday and no significant break on Tuesday and Wednesday, I was ready to vent some steam by the time I left work early Thursday morning.

Bad idea.

It's not like I never delay my trip home. I'm a late-night regular at Mr. B's restaurant, where I enjoy a first-name relationship with all the waitresses. They bring me my coffee without even their having to take my order. Most of the time, they know my order, too.

When you work until midnight or later every night, it's tough to run home and go straight to bed. I doubt bankers are in bed by 5, so why should I be in bed by 1 a.m.?

Anyway, Wednesday night wasn't a typical night. Someone stole my car. As it turned out, it apparently was a prank, and I got the car back, safe and sound and with a full tank of gas, when I arrived at work Thursday afternoon. But that didn't help matters Wednesday night.

Yes, I left the key in it. I wish I had a dollar for each time someone has asked me that question. I know, it was stupid. But I can't help but think that in a different era, those who took out their keys every time they left their car parked for 10 minutes were the one who begged the incredulous looks.

Even today, a quick detour into work after hours to complete a forgotten task shouldn't give any passersby license to jump in my car and drive away simply because I left the keys in the ignition.

After all, it's against the law to steal cars. It's a felony offense punishable by serious jail time. But no, I am supposed to accept that it's my fault because I left the keys in the ignition. So what if it's the second time in three years that my car has been stolen, and maybe I should do more to protect my property, but it's not right to steal cars. Why is it my fault just because I left my keys in it? It's like folks who get mugged on some street corner. Well-meaning friends say, "Thank God you're OK. You could have been killed."

Sure. And the dude who mugged you could have left your alone, too. What is this? The punk's got a right to your wallet, your money and jewelry just as long as he doesn't waste you on the street? That's absurd.

Why doesn't everybody play by the rules? I've walked from downtown Cape Girardeau to my home in Jackson more than once when my car broke down. Even if I saw a parked car along the way with the keys in the ignition, I would never dream of jumping in and borrowing the car to get home.

And yet, despite my indignation upon arriving home in a Yellow cab well past 5 Thursday morning, I was faced with the reality of my own inconsiderate behavior.

After all, when I'm at a local watering hole throwing darts or hanging out with my rugby buddies, my wife often lies awake at home wondering where I am and whether I am safe. In other words, I am stealing her peace of mind. I typically oversleep after staying at Mr. B's until wee hours of the morning reading the latest issue of National Review. When I awake, I barely have time to take a shower, get dressed and eat before I dash off to work. I steal my kids' time with dad.

Whether it's stealing a car or thoughtlessness, our actions have consequences. Just as someone caused me to suffer by depriving me of my car, I cause my wife and kids to suffer through my selfishness. I'm going to try to change that.

Although it won't prevent car theft, it will bring happiness and relief to my family. As far as the car, I guess I will just have to remember to take out the keys.

~Jay Eastlick is night editor of the Southeast Missourian