Disturbance

"7David4."

7David4.

"7David4. Disturbance in the East Village: 36th and King. Eleven year old boy in the basement. He heard his mother scream. Now, she's not answering him. She is protected from his father by a restraining order. He can hear foot steps upstairs."

"7David4, copy."

I flip on the lights, turn on the sirens, and surge from the West Village over the state highway into the East. 

With a glance in the rear view mirror, I spot Grumpy. He's two hundred yards behind, mirroring my speed. Prowler to prowler, traffic parts and pulls over. It's a smooth run.

We black out and walk the block in.

The street is quiet. There are no cars in front of the house. Cutting across the lawn, I watch windows as I approach the front door. Once I'm in place, Grumpy walks up the drive way and puts eyes on the back side of the house.

The lights are on. There's no movement. There's no noise. I knock, wait, and knock again. 

Smiling woman answers the doors. Her sixteen year old son is joking with her.

Is everything okay?

"Yes, we're fine. Why?"

Eli called 911. He heard you scream. He called. You didn't answer. He thought his father was here and you were in trouble.

Her face falls.

"I 'm so sorry. I just got back from physical therapy. I asked my older son for an icy back for my shoulder. When he put it on, I shrieked. It was so cold!"

Well he's hiding in the basement, on the phone with dispatch, you might want to go down and assure him that everything's okay.

"I'm so sorry he wasted your time."

He didn't waste my time. He did the right thing. He has nothing to be embarrassed about.

Comments

[Ann T. Hathaway]

Dear RD,
My heart breaks. Eli is not only afraid, he's learned to expect the absolute worst in everything. That's a long road.

You did a good thing, keeping it cool.
Ann T.

[Slamdunk]

You want citizens to use 911 for the right reasons. This certainly falls into the legitimate use of 911. Just an honest mistake.

Good post RD.

[RD]

@ SD,

He did what he was suppose to do: protect his mom.

[Christopher]

Excellently told.

[PPG]

One of the sweetest and saddest stories I've read in a long while. I hope his mama gave him a big hug and told him he'd done the right thing.