Disclaimer: It's not mine (though it it were that would be fine)

Mom always told me to lock the door to the house when I was alone with my little sister. I forget 4 times. The first time I got a lecture and a stern explanation of why I needed to do that. The second time I got grounded for a week. The third time I got a spanking.

You would think that would be enough to teach me but even the sting of the swats didn't make me remember. It would cost my sister her life. I had forgotten to lock the door one day thinking it was no big deal. That was when it happened. I was helping Helena with her homework when a crazed man opened the door.

I grabbed my sister hiding her behind me so she wouldn't be harmed.

"I'm calling the police," I threatened.

That wasn't the brightest thing in the world. The man saw my sister and grabbed her.

"You call the police," he said, "and the little girl gets it"

Without saying another word he shot Helena. She fell to the ground in agony. After that this man made his escape. I knelt by my sister while I called for an ambulance. The whole ride to the hospital I was crying and begging GOD not to take my sister.

Mom and dad met us at the hospital where Helena was immediately taken into surgery. They asked me what happened and I told them. Both of them comforted me and let me know it wasn't my fault. It could have happened to anyone and that they still loved me. When I walked away to go to the bathroom I overheard my dad tell my mom that I should be punished and she said that I've been punished enough.

My sister was in surgery for 72 hours. Eventually the doctor came out and told us that she had made it through but with some serious repercussions. She would never see again. She wouldn't be able to walk. She would never be able to feed herself.

If there's one lesson I learned from this defining moment it is that life is hard enough when you do listen to your parents. Don't complicate matters by NOT listening to them. Don't think you know better then your parents. There is a reason they tell you things. Thank you"

Class project: Defining moments

Student: Harris, Andre

Topic assigned: Regrets

Grade for assignment: A+

Teacher's comments: Well done young man