A Split-Second Decision
Back when I was a teen, I mischievously sneaked into my best friend’s old house. They were forced out by the landlord, making my friend move to a distant part of the city, which meant we wouldn’t be able to hang out as much. I was so upset that, on impulse, I turned on the bathtub faucet upstairs and exited the house.
The incident left the house in total chaos. Water flooding the upstairs caused the tub to crash through the floor. A neighbor spotted me leaving and tried pointing the finger at me, but I shrugged it off and nothing came of it. Now that I’m older, a homeowner myself, I’m overwhelmed with guilt and regret for my thoughtless action.
I did notice that the house has been superbly renovated since then. I tell myself that the landlord likely lodged an insurance claim and benefited from it. I sincerely hope that’s how it turned out. I keep hoping.