So my girl gets home last night, and looks completely aggravated. I ask what was up, expecting the usual hassles we all see when dealing with people at work. Not tonight, she'd escaped the confines of the office with only minor battle wounds, only to be completely let down by the foolish actions of people at large.
As she drove home along Old Bainbridge Road, just south of Fred George Road, she notices a couple of baseball caps lying in the road. Shortly after that, a small boy pushing his bmx bike against traffic, a bag split open on his back, with its contents overflowing. Now, this is a sketchy piece of canopy road, even for an experienced cyclist! Minimal shoulder, no sidewalk, and no streetlights make for minimal options. She makes a u-turn, picks up his caps, and catches back up to him, and pulls over with her flashers on. She asks if he needs help or a ride.
"Yes ma'am."
"Where are you headed?"
"I have to go to my Auntie's."
"Can you show me how to get there from here?"
"Yes ma'am"
She loads the scared kid, looking like he's about to cry, and his bike, and drives him to his destination; the corner of High Road and Hartsfield Road. This is what, about 2 miles from where she picks him up? She pulls in the driveway indicated by the boy, and sees a woman and a man standing in the yard. They stare her down as she gets out and tells them that she has picked up the nephew on Old Bainbridge, because she was concerned for his safety. They continued to stare, said not a word to the boy or her, and eventually went back to talking with a neighbor.
WHAT IN THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE??!!!
There was what appeared to be a perfectly functional, newer car in the driveway! Why would you send your middle school aged boy out on that route, at 6:30 in the evening, without the skills to navigate such passage. Why would you not at least ask questions when a stranger shows up on your doorstep, to deliver your nephew?
My first thought was to go back to the Auntie's house and slap somebody so hard that maybe the ringing in their ears would wake them from their fog! But the reality is, if I go up there and call them out, it will likely only make things worse for the boy. So what is the perfect answer? I'm still stewing over this. Do you call the law? Child Services? Or do you just leave it be? My heart goes out to this kid. He may be a royal pain in the ass, and have issues I can't fathom, but sending a kid into harm's way like that, definitely, is not the answer.
8 comments:
No good deed goes unpunished.
I applaud your lady for going out of her way to lend a helping hand. I must admit that I became jaded many years ago. I remember back in the late 80s my wife (at the time) coming home in tears because one of her co-workers while heading back to the office one afternoon stopped to help, what appeared to be, a mother and young child with a car problem. When he got out of the car a dude jumped out of the woods and shot the good samaritan in the head. This guy died for what he had in his wallet which was less than $20Since that day I have not stopped to offer help to a sole and am not sure I will in the future. With few exceptions, your lovely wife being one, people in general suck.
Perhaps our buddy Juancho can give the best advice, but perhaps an anonymous letter to DCF with all of the specifics might not be a bad idea.
"soul" not "sole" Damn I got so pissed off that I ignored my spelling.
I told Mrs Lad about this and she said the same as I. Michelle is a really good person, the family are 'not quite right'
We're missing you guys and are desperate to get back asap
Fat Lad
Yeh, I guess ya gotta just leave it alone. Good deed by Michelle. Ya just have to know that there will always be people like that. Don't let them control your happiness
Welcome to my world
Hey man, a lot of kids lives have been saved by calling the abuse hotline. They won't act on a circumstance like this most likely, but if you are losing sleep, clear your conscience.
http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/abuse/
Chances are they aren't paying attention to other things as well.
I realize that there are crappy parents everywhere, but this one was in my face. Made it more personal, ya know?
"You know, Mrs. Buckman, you need a license to buy a dog, to drive a car - hell, you even need a license to catch a fish. But they'll let any butt-reaming asshole be a father. "
I can't believe I missed this one. I wouldn't go back to the house, but I am afraid I would have to call someone.
I have used that Parenthood movie quote more times than I care to remember.
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