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I was walking with a friend in a residential neighborhod. We were clipping along and chatting away when I noticed two boys on bicycles. They must have been 10 or 11 and were slowly riding down the block in front of us when a man exited a house across the street from them. I watched this smiling man skip down the steps and wave excitedly as he yelled "hi boys!" He got into his car (parked on the street in front of the house) and sat there for a few moments.
My friend started to turn the corner, but I asked her to pause, I wanted to keep an eye on this situation. My women's intuition kicked into gear and my protective mother-instincts were screaming "Danger! Predator!"
About a minute later, the man pulled away, waving at the boys again (?!?!). As he turned onto the next block I saw him stick his hand out the window and wave a third time - this time it looked like he was waving to me. Freak. I still didn't feel safe heading another direction. What if he drives around the block and then comes back to offer these boys free pizza or puppies or something?
We started walking past the boys and without thinking much about it, I asked the boys, "Hey, do you know that guy?" And before I could start lecturing them on pedophiles and stranger danger, one of them responded, "Yeah, he's the mayor!"
Okayyyyy. Maybe I've been watching the evening news too much, or Law & Order. Then again, just because he's the mayor, doesn't mean he's not a freak. Right?
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Out for a walk
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I tend to keep an eye on things like that myself, but am often too shy to say anything in particular. I think it was a good call - who knows after all.
I can't stop giggling at your story! That was really funny! But...I do think your caution was VERY wise. I am the exact same way. Maybe that is why I can't stop laughing....or maybe it is because I also would not recognize my mayor. hehehehe
I would have been the same way, so you Mommy Instinct was good. Mayor or not, the situation was iffy to you.
It is funny though, that you didn't recognize the Mayor...lol
Were you walking in my city? Our mayor doesn't look particularly mayorish.
Good for you for asking though!
I don't think it hurt that you asked whether the kids knew him or not, to get a sense of whether there was something to be concerned about. Thankfully, they responded in a way to let you know things were okay.
I've mentioned to DH that he should watch To Catch a Predator sometime and then his outlook on a lot of things would change ...
You are right to trust your gut and your mother's intuition ~ You would never want to be at home watching the news and say to yourself - "If only I..."
ANYONE can be a freak these days! We all have to work together to keep our children safe!
xoxo
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