I am exhausted. I had morning court and a late call.
It's Three-Thirty. I should be home heading upstairs to bed. Instead, I have just punched out. I am in civvies, walking from the precinct to the family truckster.
There is a couple on the corner. They are beefing.
She's teetering in tight pants and high heels. Intoxicated, she leans into her screams.
"Leave. Just let me go. You berated me in front of my friends. I want you to go away."
I stop and watch.
He is tense and puffing his chest as he attempts to look large and loom over her.
I cannot hear him. He is speaking in low tones.
I flip out my work cell, call the precinct desk, and ask for a free car to float by.
He sees me, takes two steps back from her.
She seizes the opportunity, turns and walks away.
He chases after her, grabs her hands, and starts pulling her back.
I sigh and cross the street.
As I approach, he turns his head to me and lets go of her.
He sizes me up for a second, then backs down. I have seventy pounds on him.
I pull out my ID and show it to him.
"I am a police officer. You need to have a seat."
He replies, "I wasn't doing anything."
"Having words is one things, pulling her and preventing her from leaving is another."
"I am leaving. You can have her!"
He walks off west, then south.
I am alone, out of uniform , and off duty. It's my job to be a good witness and protect the gal. I call the desk and update.
Two minutes later, a sergeant roll up and talks to her.
Nights cannot him, he has disappeared into the shadows and empty streets.
She does not want to be victim.
The sergeant says he'll write me in and clears me, so I can head home.
