Are You Aware? You Never Know Who Could Cross Your Path! Child Safety - True Story
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month - Always Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Are You Aware? You Never Know Who Could Cross Your Path! Child Safety – Education is Key
A short story from “Moments of My Life”
You never know who will cross your path.
It was a warm autumn day in 1979. All the kids were heading back to school, and so was I. For many children, summer was filled with fun and laughter with family and friends. But for me, turmoil and transition were the words that best described this time in my life.
I was about to turn 14, and the past year had been filled with tragedy and horrific experiences. I was removed from the home I shared with my mother, who struggled with mental illness, after she attempted suicide. I was then placed with my father, who truly did not know how to deal with me or support me appropriately. I was an angry teen, wanting to run away from everything. I was sad, lonely, and misunderstood. The pain of my past weighed heavily on my heart. You could see the stress lines on my young face.
As I got dressed and ready for school on that first day, I knew I would be walking to the bus stop alone, about five blocks from our apartment complex. I was excited to see my friends, but I also dreaded the stares of those who spoke poorly about my situation. I was filled with a mixture of emotions.
With my notebook and pen in hand, I took a deep breath and made my way out the door. As I walked, I became engrossed in the trees, the gentle breeze, the smell of morning dew, and the beauty of nature around me. The warm morning sun hit my face, and for the first time in a long time, I smiled.
As I turned the corner, I saw an elderly gentleman walking his dog. He was tall, with white hair and glasses, wearing all black with a long coat. His dog was small, and I was instantly drawn to him, as I was an animal lover. As I approached, our eyes met, and he said, “Well hello, my dear. Beautiful morning, isn’t it?”
I responded, “Yes, it is.”
He asked, “Are you off to school?”
“Yes,” I replied. Then I added, “I love your dog. What is his name?”
“His name is Freddy,” the elderly man said with a smile.
I said, “Hi, Freddy,” and continued walking. As I walked away, I heard him say, “I hope to see you tomorrow!”
I turned quickly, gave a brief smile, and continued on my way, not thinking much of it.
The next day, and for several days after, I saw this man and his little dog, Freddy. We would pass each other, smile warmly, make small talk, and continue on our separate ways. This made me feel happy for the first time in a long while, and I looked forward to my walk to school. I thought he was a kind man and even imagined he might be someone’s grandfather. I felt lucky that someone like him existed.
One day, during a brief conversation, he finally introduced himself.
He said, “I never asked your name. What is it?”
I naively responded, “Lisa,” smiling as I pet the dog.
He said, “That is a beautiful name for a beautiful girl with incredible eyes.”
I felt awkward and simply said, “Thank you.”
“You’re quite welcome. My name is Henry. I never told you that, did I?”
I noticed his expression had changed slightly, but I brushed off the feeling and said no, he had not.
He then said that since I loved his dog so much, I should come sit in his yard and play with Freddy anytime.
I thanked him again and said I should be going. He looked me in the eyes and said, “I cannot wait to see you tomorrow.”
I walked away quickly, feeling very uneasy. My past abuse had left me with strong instincts about danger, even when my mind could not fully process them. I hurried along, and once I reached my friends, I tried to forget the feeling and went about my day. I never told anyone about the encounter.
The next few days, Henry and Freddy were not on my route to school. I wondered what had happened to them. I even worried that the dog might be sick. I walked near his driveway and looked into the yard, but there was nothing there except overgrown weeds and a broken fence. It felt unsettling.
The following day, as I walked to school, I saw Henry and Freddy again. I went up to him and asked if Freddy was okay.
Henry responded with a strange smile. “Were you worried about my baby?”
“Yes,” I said. “I really was.”
He then said he had seen me looking into his yard the day before. He added that he had watched me from his upstairs window many times.
“You are a very beautiful young lady,” he said. “I’m sure your father is proud of you. I know I am.”
I stepped back and said, “Proud of me? You don’t even know me.”
He replied, “Oh yes, I know you very well. Young girls like you with tight clothing and big eyes walking by every day—I notice.”
At that point, I felt fear rising, but I was frozen. He stepped closer and touched my arm.
“You were looking in my yard yesterday, weren’t you? You wanted to come sit with me, didn’t you?”
I shook my head, barely able to say no.
“Now, now, Lisa,” he said. “You can tell Henry. It can be our little secret.”
He squeezed my arm. I pulled away and said, “Don’t touch me. No. I liked your dog. I thought I could trust you.”
He chuckled. “Oh, I am nice.”
Then he added, “Henry is going to do you a favor. After today, you won’t see Freddy or me again, because I am afraid of what I might do to you.”
He pointed to a window and said he would be watching.
I slowly backed away, terrified. Everything in my body was screaming danger. I turned and ran.
I ran as fast as I could. When I reached the bus stop, my friend Kelly was there and asked what was wrong. I couldn’t speak. I just stood there, shaken.
When she asked again, I simply said, “Nothing.”
My past had taught me silence—never speak, never tell. If I told her, I would have to explain everything, and I was not ready for that. So I said, “I’m okay. I’m always okay.”
From that day forward, I took a different route to school.
As I walked, my mind kept returning to Henry and Freddy. I wondered how many others he may have hurt, and why I was the one he let go. I never saw him again, and I was grateful for that.
Please remember, as you go through your daily routines, always be aware of your surroundings. Educate your children, family, and friends to be cautious about who they speak to and to never share personal information with strangers.
This is another example of what past trauma can do—it can lead to silence when speaking up is needed most. Breaking that silence is essential.
Be safe out there in this big world, and remember: ask questions—you may be saving a life.
Remember the age-old saying: “See something, say something.”
For more information regarding child safety and mental health, please visit: www.lisazarcone.net
