This day, Saturday the 10th, took off with a roar. And the roar came ripping out of my own throat. Thinking back to early this morning, I was surprised at the drive that took me flying down the outside stairs at our daughter's condo here in Austin.
She was screaming, "Someone help me...help me...please help me!" And I went into instant action, tearing down the stairs and chasing across the street yelling, "You stop that...let go of her...I'm calling the police...stop it right now!!!"
They were on the ground behind a big metal box that houses telephone lines. By the time I got to them, she had broken free and went running screaming down the street and disappeared into some bushes. I grabbed the guy and told him to "...stay put, shut up and listen!" He was trembling, trying to get loose to chase her down...but this olde man held on and began to ask questions.
What was almost as startling was that a few early morning runners were coming down the street when this was taking place...hearing and seeing it all, as well. No one stopped to inquire or help. Crazy...was this for real?
The guy seemed a bit tipsy, so I asked him if he was on drugs. He said they both had been the night before, and that they had slept in some bushes about a block away, saying, "She has not yet come down from what we did last night and is psyched out." I told him, "You stand right there...if you move so much as a muscle you will be on the ground." I finally called the police.
At that moment in time she came running back. When she saw me she ran past us and turned a corner. He went after her. I went after them both...talking into my iPhone to let the operator know what had taken place and where we were. More runners ran by and ignored us.
Finally, at the top of a hill the girl collapsed and the police showed up. I told them what I'd observed and that evidently drugs were involved. They took them away to some sort of detox facility.
I began, again, my training run. Then the thought hit me "...what if that guy had had a gun?...or a knife?...or something even worse was taking place?" The adreniline was pumping so hard I cruised up the next hill and thought, "Well, Mr. Roberts...welcome to Austin!"
All of this was brought home to me, for back in Denver in the past several weeks there have been mysterious disappearances of young women who have ended up dead. If this were happening to our daughter, or any other woman, I would hope someone would respond. I was on this guy almost before I knew it. Whew...........nice to know the olde boy still has some fight in him and can move on that when necessary. :-)
My training run ended about three blocks from where our daughter lives. Jo's Coffee, out on South Congress, just down from the Austin Motel (...a landmark on South Congress...) is a favorite place to get some morning java and a blueberry bran muffin, a bit of a ritual when we are visiting here. This morning Jo's was a welcome site with the usual line of patrons already queing up.
Talk about a cross section of humanity from Austin...or anywhere!
I eavesdropped on a conversation about the best kind of doggie goggles (...called "doggles"...) for canine who had developed cataracts. Who knew?
An old man was reciting poetry outloud to whomever the imaginary person was in the chair across from him that he was intent on speaking to. I didn't see them...but he did.
A movie-star-perfect kind-of-beautiful twins and a husband of one of them, also movie star good looking, had a number of people come up to them and say hello. I didn't recognize them. But then, I don't keep up with the beautiful people via People Magazine, unless I'm in a doctor's office. :-)
A remarkably tatooed young woman was showing off her fairly newborn daughter to some friends...and the tatoo she had given the child around that little one's belly button (...OK...just wondering if you are still with me...as that sweet baby did not have a tatoo...lol...). The mixture of early morning humanity was truly amazing.......realizing our God loves 'em all...where they are at...just like the Triune loves you...and me.
The grafitti on the side of Jo's building had me missing Judy a bunch...so this is for you, my precious wife...am missing you down here...especially after all this...how do you expect me to give you all the details when we next talk on the phone. :-)
The rest of the day has been taken with special times with our daughter and her good friends. It has been a most delight-filled day.
After getting held up a bit by the Austin Pride Parade (...why not, everything else seemed to be happening...), I had fun watching her deal with the vendors at the Austin Farmer's Market...where she did breakfast with a friend...and purchased food for a feast on Sunday evening. Then we did a mid-afternoon lunch with another friend. This evening we went down to the river to watch the phenomenen of the zillion bats flying from under the Congress Bridge with two other friends...an amazing event where hundreds of people line the bridge and the river banks every night this time of year to watch this unusual natural happening...and I do mean a zillion.
We two capped off the moon lit evening with dinner at one of the dozens of "trailer restaurants," The Odd Duck, that occupy vacant lots all over Austin...she bought...bless her. The education continues to pay off. PBTG...!!!
Earlier this morning, I mentioned to our daughter how the day had begun while she slept, and she said, "I thought I heard someone screaming outside, but then it stopped." Yup! "It was your Dad to the rescue." What a day...on this SepTexasTour: Day Two.
This day ends with a deeply grateful heart. I wonder what tomorrow will bring? For now I'm going to wander into sleep...and wake up tomorrow trusting that even tomorrow will again have it's adventuresome moments.
Hard to believe what all has taken place in just two days. This I know, at least two big angels of protection are watching over me...but then.......
...that's another story!
OK, I guess I understand why you didn't dial 911 first after reading what was fresh from your mind about Denver women disappearing and having a daughter, but ...next time think about 911 first. You really had me going about the tatoo and the baby!!! :>) What a day! Can you top this one?!! ps.You actually have a flock of angels!
Posted by: Sherley Hannay | September 20, 2011 at 05:29 AM