Two little girls. C & C. One's in Julie's class at school, and the other is Maddie's friend from daycare. They live across the street. They've been to our house for play dates and birthday parties. The older C wants to grow up before her time. We see her wandering the street sometimes, looking more like a teenager than a little girl. She misses too much school for reasons unknown to us. She's wearing sadness and the weight of life before her time. The younger C is shy and sweet. She has the most delightful smile that creeps onto her face when Maddie makes her giggle.
The other night, Marcel was taking the garbage out at midnight and saw the ruckus across the street. A man - we're not sure which man - father of the kids or boyfriend of the mother - got handcuffed and hauled off in a police car. The older of the two C's was there - in the parking lot with her older brother - talking to the policemen. There was no sign of the mother - a beautiful young woman who draws too much sadness to herself and her children.
That's all we know. We haven't seen the children since. I want to go looking for them, but I don't know what to say. Do I knock on the door and say "we saw the ruckus and we want to make sure the children are safe?" Or do I simply send the girls across the street looking for a play date - just to make sure all is well?
Sometimes, I feel paralyzed when faced with other people's pain.
9 comments:
That's hard.
oh, yeah.
Yes, and the horrible tragedy involving the toddler up on Magnus Avenue: I can't bear hearing about terrible things happening to children.
Hello. I have been reading the last couple of posts and am thoroughly enjoying your writing. Kudos! (Nestar got me hooked)
Last year we were out at Canada Day festivities when we were witness to a horrible incident of neglect/abuse (at least abuse in my mind). I sat for part of the evening and simply watched. Then the better judgment took over and we summoned police and had the situation turned over to the authorities. I don't know what happened to the mom or the kids, but my kids told us later how proud they were of us standing up for these poor kids when their mother obviously didn't. That was thanks and motive enough for next time.
Best wishes,
4
It doesn't seem like it would be unusual for the girls to ask for a play date, but I wouldn't send them over. I'd walk over with them if I could.
I think I would go over. These children sound like they need to know someone does care about them.
Found you linked through Amber...crazy bloggin' canuck...
And given our family's current involvement with Africa (my daughter comes home on Saturday) the post about Nestar struck my heart. We have taken over guardianship of a wee one in Lwandle thanks to my 16 year old's persistence...Elam. Lots more to come on my blog about her in the next few weeks.
I know that feeling all too well.
Best wishes
My heart tells me you should walk over there and make sure everything is okay.
but - oh boy - such a fine line between caring neighbor and appearing nosy. I am one who HATES to intrude on anyone. But maybe the mother needs to know someone else is thinking about her kids too?
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