In one's wallet, there are always a few key things to have. Along with the normal charge cards, cash, some kind of identification, a few people may have some useful business cards, phone numbers, and membership cards. I have all of these things in my wallet too. However, I have one more item that is of great importance to me: my trusty, reliable "Will It Lead to Trouble?"card. In times of need, it is supposed to help me make the right choice by asking me questions that can help me decide what is smart.

The Card
At the top of the card, it asks the fundamental question: Will It Lead to Trouble? The card then lists five additional questions on it, each marked by a bullet point. They ask, "Is it against the law, school rules, or the teaching of my religion?" "Is it harmful to me or to others?" "Would it disappoint my family or other adults important to me?" "Is it wrong to do?" and "Would I be hurt or upset if someone did this to me?" respectively.

The Promise
Why do I have this card? I don't know if anyone out there remembers, but back in my Redwood days, I distinctly remember a guidance counselor who visited our school and while handing out the card, told us that we could always refer to it when we were stuck in a situation where we didn't know what to do.

As she wrapped up her presentation on all the right and wrong decisions in the world, she promised us something that I have never forgotten. She told us that if we would keep this card until our graduation, any student that could present her with the card would receive a glorious prize as a reward. This is also the very reason I have held onto it for so long, though I must confess it hasn't played an all-important role in my decision-making.

Today
Naturally, back then I thought that day would come when I graduated from Redwood. I anticipated each day of the last month of 8th grade, waiting for the same counselor to come back and present me with my gift. To my extreme disappointment, graduation came and went and I found myself with no such present at the end of the year. Needless to say, just thinking of my hands, holding only empty air, gave and still does give me great distress. As I looked to high school that summer, I hoped that my senior year would bring me to the day where I would be rewarded.

This year I am finally a senior. I have held onto it for four more years since Redwood and when I asked around, while some others harbor distant memories of the card, no one else seems to know exactly what happened. Although wild daydreaming is something I do often, I can soundly say that I didn't imagine it. I have the proof in my wallet.