“So, let me get this straight,” said the duty officer at the front desk. “You witnessed a man, who you don’t really know, chase a total stranger into the woods behind River Landing Park, and you want us to send someone out to investigate?”2
Marie exhaled, frustrated with the officer – as well as herself for not getting the man’s name, at the park, when she had the chance. “Look,” she said pressing her palms onto the counter top and leaning in, “I know this sounds like an odd request but…”3
“Marie,” the officer interrupted, “what would Michael have thought of all this?” and immediately regretted asking the question. 4
She fell silent and dropped her eyes. “Marie, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” Marie looked away from him and closed her eyes. Jason gave her time to collect her self. He owed her that much. Marie’s eyes were sad and vulnerable when they finally met his, and it rendered him speechless. 5
“Michael would have insisted I report this incident to you guys.” The officer could only nod in agreement. “Jason, when have you ever known me to rush off and make rash decisions or mislead anyone in this town, let alone the police?”6
He considered her words and Marie could tell by the way he scrunched his lips that he knew she was right. “Alright,” he offered, “I’ll send a car to check things out. Okay?” 7
Marie grasped Jason’s hand in hers and squeezed firmly. “Thank you Jason. Really – thank you.” 8
He nodded as she turned to make her way out of the lobby and watched her walk down the sidewalk before relaying the widow’s report to dispatch.9
“So what’d they say?” her son asked when Marie got back to the old Bronco.11
“They’re going to send a car out to the park – check the woods.” She got behind the wheel and sat quietly for a moment, thinking.12
“What’s up, Mom?”13
“I just hope he’s okay, that’s all.”14
“Who? That guy from the football game?”15
“Yes,” Marie whispered and felt her stomach flutter.16
“I don’t get it... why worry about someone you don’t even know?”17
Marie looked at her son and chose her words carefully. “Because… it’s the right thing to do.” David shrugged his shoulders and looked out the window. “Does he frighten you, David?” she asked.18
He glanced at his Mother, clearly surprised by her question. “No, not all – he seems nice enough. I mean it’s not like I got to talk to him or anything. But he just seemed like a nice man. No, I’m not scared.” Marie nodded in affirmation. She started the engine, engaged the clutch and shifted the bronco into first gear, checking her wing mirror before pulling out to join the queue of cars at the traffic light.19
It was nearly 7:00pm when they reached the Food Town. The automatic doors swished opened when they approached the entrance. “Don’t worry about a cart, David. We only need a few items…. some milk and bread and something for dinner,” David’s mother announced. “Is there anything special you’d like tonight?” 20
“Pizza!” chirped David without hesitation.21
His dinner choice drew a sideways glance from his Mother, but she quickly decided to treat her son since it had been quite some time since they’d had pizza. “Alright,” she said, “I think that can be arranged. Toppings?”22
“How about three cheese and spinach?” Marie acknowledged his request with a single nod. Like most boys his age, David hated grocery shopping but knew he had it better than most of his friends whose Moms trolled the stores for hours. David’s mother was a true hunter/gatherer… she knew what she wanted and always set about finding things in a hurry – and for that, David was truly grateful.23
With arms loaded with groceries, the pair headed toward the registers but fell short of their destination when they literally ran into the man from the park. Milk, dog food, bread, bandages, cereal, and pizza landed on the floor in a heap.24
“I am so sorry. I really need to watch where I’m going,” said the man apologetically. He didn’t realize it was Marie and her son until he bent over to help gather the groceries. “Are you okay?” he asked with genuine concern.25
“Yes, we’re fine, really. I’m sorry, we weren’t paying attention either,” Marie replied and noticed the gash above his left brow. Instinctively, she reached out to inspect the wound. “When did this happen?”26
“Oh, when I was running through the woods after that guy we saw… I got close to him at one point and tried to grab him. The next thing I know I’m on my back starring up at the tree canopy. I must have hit a limb or something.” She turned his face in her hands to get a closer look. He welcomed her touch. 27
“Have you been to a doctor for this?” she inquired.28
He laughed at the question. “What for this? No, no. I don’t need a doctor.” He held up the box of sterile bandages and added, “That’s what these are for.”29
She rolled her eyes and they both stood up. “So that weirdo gets away and you get smacked in the head.” 30
The man just shrugged and waited for silence to fall between them. “We haven’t been properly introduced, Marie,” he said shifting the dog food from one arm to the other and extending a hand, “my name is Chris.”31
“Is that short for Christopher?” she inquired, shaking his hand.32
“Nope, it’s just Chris for Chris,” he replied in a very matter-of-fact tone.33
“Well, Chris, this is my son, David.” 34
“It’s very nice to meet you,” Chris said. The boy smiled politely and shook hands with the man standing beside his Mother.35
Marie and Chris continued their conversation as they proceeded through the check-out. David was content to let the adults chat and was surprised when he was invited into the conversation. 36
“So how old are you, David?” Chris asked and placed his groceries on the conveyor belt. 37
“Ten. Why?”38
“Just curious, you play ball very well. Do you want to play when you get older – maybe in high school or something?” 39
David considered the question and shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t know… haven’t thought much about it to be honest. I just like running – and catching passes. I really like catching the football.” 40
“Then you should stick with it – for as long as you enjoy playing. You really are very good… a natural.” Chris added, and the boy beamed at the words of encouragement.41
Outside the Food Town, while David ran off to see a school mate, Marie and Chris found a few minutes to themselves. The conversation between them was was easy, and Marie felt comfortable and content. But their chat was interrupted when David came running over to ask if he could go to his friend’s house for a few hours. 42
“What about dinner, David?” Marie asked.43
“Jeremy’s Mom said I could eat at their place.” The boy could see his Mom wasn’t sold on the idea and resorted to pleading. “Come on Mom, please. It’s Friday night and there’s no school tomorrow…. please?”44
After confirming with the friend’s mother that David wouldn’t be intruding, Marie consented. She gave her son a quick peck on the cheek and told him to behave. Marie arranged to pick David up by ten o'clock and waved goodbye as he turned his back to leave.45
Chris looked at the woman beside him and asked quietly, “May I buy you some dinner?” She answered his question with a shy smile and a simple, “Yes.” 46
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