I couldn't help myself and stole light bulbs from the apartment I just moved out of, after years of living there, and pretending everything was fine

I moved in to this apartment over 3 years ago.<br><br>At this point, I was actively using a lot of illegal narcotics, and had barely started my recovery.<br><br>My landlords were the parents of a close friend, and they wanted to help me by allowing me to live here for lower than market rate, and no requirement to pay first and last month's rent.<br><br>I moved in to this apartment with a 2 year old son, no job, and actively using.<br><br>Over time, I maintained a job, got off of all drugs, and things were so much better.<br><br>About 6 months ago, I was able to move out of this apartment and into a new one in another city.<br><br>A few nights ago, I came back to grab some things that I had forgotten, and that I didn't feel important enough to grab when I initially moved out, with my girlfriend and my child.<br><br>As I was gathering things, I also grabbed every light bulb I could find, thinking that light bulbs are really expensive and that I would eventually need them some day.<br><br>I got back to my car, and I looked up at my old windows, and I saw my landlords looking back at me.<br><br>I could almost hear their confusion and their questions, wondering why I was up there for so long.<br><br>Of course, they saw me taking everything out of the apartment, but they can't tell that there's light bulbs in the bags.<br><br>I almost feel like I owe them an explanation, but like a thief in the night, I'm going to stay quiet.<br><br>Light bulbs don't cost that much, and there was no need to steal them.<br><br>But something about the thought of those light bulbs just didn't feel like it was theirs any more.<br><br>It didn't feel like it was wrong, but at the same time, I know I'm not telling anyone about this.<br><br>I'm also currently on the lease, as I didn't move out until April this year, and I'm actively working on paying off the 2 month's rent I didn't pay before I left.<br><br>I think that this whole situation is almost funny.<br><br>But the fact that I got myself into this situation is so embarrassing.<br><br>It just goes to show that no matter how much progress someone can make, they can still make the same mistakes as they always have.<br><br>I really do want to tell them that I stole all of their light bulbs, but that will probably also mean that they won't want to help me pay off the back rent I owe them.<br><br>Thanks for listening to this confession, internet.<br><br>That is all.