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The first thing that caught my attention was the windshield. As Rob and I were sitting at a red light I look over and see a car, with a badly smashed windshield, making a right turn. The windshield looked like a baseball bat went at it a couple of times and I was surprised that the driver could see well enough to maneuver the car. As the car drove down the road going further behind us my attention went back to my anticipation of what I was going to order for my birthday dinner tonight at our favorite restaurant, Jake's. Probably Salmon stuffed with a blend of cream cheese, crab and shrimp. Absolutely decadent and delicious!
As we approached a red light that same car with the bashed in windshield pulls into our lane of traffic, directly in front of us. Curious. I'm looking at this car, backseat piled with clothing, and told Rob I had noticed this car and was impressed with it's way of getting around a red light. As I was saying this we could hear yelling. I rolled my window down a bit and the passenger in the car ahead of us, a woman, tried to get out of the car but the driver, a man, pulled her back in. We heard her yell "I want to get out of the car!". The car turned a corner, and we followed it.
Rob stayed a safe distance behind and I pulled out my phone. It's in these moments you wonder 'Should I call 911?' 'Am I over reacting? Is this not as bad as I think?' 'Should we get involved in their "lover's quarrel?' We saw the car park and the woman got out and the man followed close behind. We are now in a nice, quiet neighborhood and this couple, screaming at each other, swearing at each other, was causing quite a scene with the neighbors doing their gardening. When the man would not leave the woman alone I decided to make the call.
After giving all the information and being told that an officer would be there soon Rob and I kept following the woman because we wanted to help, if she needed it. It looked like the man was going to hit her and Rob took off his seat belt preparing to get out if need be. (I was quietly praying that he wouldn't have to get out!) I choose to let the woman know that we've called the Police. She looks at me exasperated, almost pissed. I say, 'I just don't want you to get hurt.' She turns to the man and says "You happy now? They've called the cops!" Oh shit.
I hadn't thought that she would be upset. And I really didn't think she'd tell the dude who's been screaming at her! She walked a bit and then actually said 'Thank you'.
Here's the thing. Rob and I were in that moment of - What would you do? We're happily driving to a lovely evening out and we see behavior that catches both of our attention. As the car turned the corner in front of us we could have let them go, but it would have bothered me all night, and for days to come. I felt a woman was in trouble and I am so happy that Rob was right there with me and together we made the decision to get involved.
The woman said to us, 'When the cops get here they're going to arrest him again and then he'll go to jail and then where will I be?!" Sad. So, so sad. As she walked away I noticed bruises on her arm. Hopefully the person that put them there will be locked up and the police will guide her to a woman's recovery center.
My birthday dinner was filled with prayers and appreciation for the people I have in my life.
If you saw what we saw, what would you have done?