High Drama In The Neighbourhood

It isn't out of the ordinary to see a police car on my street. There's always something going on in my neighbourhood. Back when my friend Anne and her family lived here, she'd keep me in the know on what happened on her side and I kept her in the know as to what happened on mine.

Anne lived on the side with all the drama. My side is pretty quiet. Well, not tonight however.

The children were outside playing with all of their friends when Sam rushing in to tell me that two of their friends were arguing - we'll call them "Bill" and "Bob" for the sake of this retelling - when "Bob's" dad came out and grabbed "Bill" with one hand and back handed him across the mouth with the other.

Oh no he di-ent.

Oh yes... he did.

Two police cars and an ambulance arrived and the street became a flurry of activity.

Now you know I went out to see what was going on. The children in this neighbourhood are forever in my backyard or on my porch - even when my own children are inside! - and I have grown fond of them. That, and I am incredibly nosey.

I did get to meet a new neighbour :-) And she has a little boy a few months older than Jordan.

I saw "Bob" and he was walking fine and smiling a little at all the attention, and they put him in the ambulance to take to the hospital. Protocol, I guess. I felt sad because no one went with him for the ride to the hospital. His mother followed with their van. I hope he wasn't scared being by himself :-(

So while I was spying making new friends, I saw the police walk to "Bob's" dad's house. By then my spying friend-making was looking a little like friend-making, so I made my way home. Sam came in to tell me that the police took "Bob's" dad away in one of the police cruisers.

Shameful.

The children are very upset at what has happened and very worried for their friend. I cautioned them that the other children might ostracize "Bob" a little because of what his dad did. I said that this would be a great opportunity to show Christ's love toward "Bob" and the other children will follow.

I also said stay the hell heck away from "Bob's" dad.

In other news, all of the grocery stores in my area - and probably the world - have begun charging for plastic bags. Ugh. I refuse to pay 5 cents for a bag! Now I have nothing to put my garbage in. Frustrating. I have a whack of reusable bags that I can't seem to remember to leave in the car.

I think they've now hired a new collector for the Kingston location. I'm sad at this placement coming to an end, but happy too, because I'd like to spend a little time at home with the kids over the summer. Whatever happens, I know God's got me.