JWH Moonshine's blog: "Rants"

So mad..not even funny...it has been a very, very long time since I was so mad, I was shaking.  The good thing about a small town, everybody knows everybody.  The bad thing about a small town, everybody knows everybody.

Driving past the school an hour or so after school let out, and I see a child walking off the property.  Since there is literally nothing around for miles, this is very out of the norm.  So I turn the car around and pull off to the side.  He's maybe 10, maybe. I smile at him and say, "hey, I know you, your name is Lucas, right?" He smiles and says yes.  I ask him if he knows me and he says he does, but he is not sure of my name.  So I introduce myself and ask what is he doing out here all alone.  He said he had to stay after to get some help with math...yeah, math can be tricky I said.  So, are you waiting for your mom to come get you? He said no.  I asked how he was getting home and he said he had to walk.  (almost 7 miles).  I asked him if he would be ok if I gave him a ride home and would he like to call his mom and see if it was ok.  He said he didn't know her number, but yes please, he would like a ride.  So he gets in and we head towards his house. 

Pull up to the house and the car is in the drive.  I tell him that I will walk him to the door to make sure everything is ok.  He smiles, this kid is so damn cute!  His mom (Nancy) comes to the door as we are walking up.  I said "hey Nancy, saw Lucas walking so I brought him home". She just looks at me (looks like she is in the clothes that she slept in and a shower is very, very debateable).  I said, "Everything alright?  Car broke down or you aren't feeling well?". She said-nope, everything is ok. I said well Nancy, why was Lucas walking?  That is way too far for a little boy to walk and it would have been past dark before he got here.  She said "if he's such a dumb ass that he has to stay after, then he can very well walk his fucking ass home" and reaches out as if to smack him...  I turned to Lucas and said " sweetie, I think I left my phone in the car, would you please go look for it and look real good, under the seats and everything", he scampers off.

I turn to Nancy "How you raise your child is your business, but when you neglect or abuse any child- it becomes mine. Now, you and that boy are my business and ask anyone around, I take care of business.   I know his daddy left you and you are going through some troubles, but that is no way to treat your boy and you damnn well know it".  

Nancy: what are you gonna do about it?

Me: Well, the way I see it, we have to options here.  You can treat that boy decent, treat him like a Momma should and I will give you as much help as I can.  I know a lot of people and together, we can all make sure you two are taken care of until you get things sorted.

Nancy: hand on hip, full attitude- you are giving me options? who the hell are you--your short punk ass can't give anyone "options"

Me (speaking quietly, almost whisper): Well, if you don't like option 1, then I promise you won't like option 2.  I'm an approved foster parent for the county and one phone call and he will be leaving with me.  Then once I get him home, I will come back and You and Me? We are gonna have a Reckoning and I promise, by the time my short ass is done with you,  you will know the error of your ways, Hell, you might even find the Lord and beg forgiveness....now what's it gonna be? I've had a long day and I can go either way--your choice--right here, right now.

And I stared and waited...she finally said, I don't need no trouble.

Me: You are right, you don't.  I will be back by tomorrow, the next day and probably the day after and I will check on Lucus. You will get yourself cleaned up and you will pull your act together...if you need help, let me know, but You will Not treat him like that again, understand? she nods.

Really ready to break something- I calmly ask her if we are done and in agreement, she says yes. 

Lucas comes back up to the porch with the strangest look on his face...Ma'am, I looked and I looked real hard and I'm sorry, I can't find the phone.  

I smile and said, Silly Me- it's right here in my pocket-but you are such a sweetie for going and looking for it for me--told him I had to go, but I would come back and visit if he liked. He smiled and gave me a hug and said 'when"?  Hugging him, I looked over at Nancy and said, why Lucas, I think maybe tomorrow what about you? 

xo