five guys

We decided to take a walk after supper, the boys and our dog, Cyclone.  Off to 7-11 with free slurpee coupons, a super blow pop for me and some fresh air to go.  Coming down our porch steps, I glanced across the street...5 young guys, around 15-17 years old were checking out the boarding house windows.  Boarding houses usually have one maintance persons and 3-4 people living in individual rooms, sharing bathrooms or kitchens.  I had never seen these guys there before and it looked a little suspicious (slightly) when one of them found a window open and hopped in.  I started across the street (with Silas and Nate in tow, and Cyclone...) and shouted, "Hey!  What are you guys up to?" (good starting line, eh?).  "Oh", one guy said, slouching over his bike, "we are looking for Billy Jones who lives here."  'Good name' I thought, who is ever called "Billy Jones"?  "I don't think he lives here, you better get out"  I said firmly...meanwhile my kids and the dog are standing there wondering what the heck I'm doing taking to obvious gang members (or related activities kind of people?)  The one guy was busily opening the front door lock for his buddies, they rode off on their bikes and I looked up at this guy, questioning...he said to me, "the guy that lives here owes me thirty bucks".   So old braino says back...."I don't think he's home, better come back later!"   Amazingly, he looks all calm and says "oh, ok".  And he gets on his bike and leaves.

Meanwhile, I am scanning the 'hood for help, a neighbor, a obviously not "bad guy" type, anyone who might be able to help me intervene.  I look up at the top window and the matainance guy is looking down, so I gesture him to come down.  Well, in a moment he does, with half a iron bed post for company, ('looking for a few bad guys eh?').  The kids and I describe what happens and he takes over, searching his property for any lurking teens....and we saunter away, very much aware that we forgot our back window slightly open.  Will they come back for revenge?  What if we see them again?  After our 7-11 visit, we visualize the "Blow Pop" manuver that will send them running next time they try something like that.  Or booby traps, or Nate's baby hamster that will bite their finger and send them howling.  The boys had lots of good ideas, creativity abounds when incidents like this occur!

I'm glad I was able to help a neighbor today, I'm glad these guys weren't into getting violent or their way right then.  I'm glad for kids who take it in stride and we can pray at night for the guys who need to get their conscience revived and alive again.  I have so much to be thankful for.  That's it, lights out.