Faced with the choice...touch it or don't touch it? Would you drink it or not drink it? What are the ramifications of a bad choice? How do you live with yourself after the fact? How do you face your loved ones, your friends and colleagues knowing the reality of your bad decision was yours and yours alone? So many possibilities, with so many consequences.....
Sixteen year old Eric heard a noise in his father's study. Cautiously going down stairs he saw his 11 year old sister Mia snooping around.
"Mia!" he hissed under his breath. "You know Dad's things are off limits, get up here before we both get into trouble!"
Mia jumped, clearly startled at being discovered. She looked up to the top of the stairs where Eric stood arms folded.
"Eric!" Mia exclaimed in a half whine.
"Mom and Dad have to be hiding our presents down here" she said.
Eric looked back over his shoulder. Coincidentally Mia and Eric have the same birthday...although 5 years apart. He had hoped to get a new gaming system and was all but sure that it was the gift he was getting.
"Ok" he said. "We have about 15 minutes before Mom gets home"
Pounding down the stairs he stood, looking around for something out of the ordinary. He and his sister had been down here many times, their father was always happy to share anything with them that he could and was proud of the fact that both of his children were interested in science and engineering.
"I've already looked there" she said pointing to the furthest most wall of cabinets. "come over there" said motioning to a tall free standing cabinet. "I'm too short, but see if there is key on top".
Eric stood on his tip toes and felt around the top edge of cabinet. Disappointed he shrugged his shoulders. "Nothing" he said.
Mia looked frustrated and walked over to a door on the opposite wall. She tried the knob...
"Mia, that's Dad's clean room. You know we can't go in there." Eric said sternly.
"I know dumb ass." Mia said and stepped back supervised to find that the door was unlocked.
She pushed it open.