My Heart Hurts
And for once, it’s not due to my heart condition. In fact, there is no medication I can take to alleviate this. The people that live behind us (no, not the future residence of J&C), fight. A lot. I’ve alluded to this before, but I’ve never actually talked about it to anyone other than Kevin, my mom, and the Flower Mound Police Department.
I don’t want to scare Josh and Camille off, but then again, domestic violence happens where you least expect it. In our case, it’s happening right next door. Our neighbor, to whom we not-so-fondly refer as Amarillo Slim, has a bit of a temper. About once every two months or so, he loses it. Bear in mind that we have a fairly large lot, so there’s quite a bit of space between houses. That does not, however, prevent us from hearing the goings-on in the house next door. Granted, I can’t hear it from inside the house, but when I’m outside, it’s as if they’re right in front of me. When I can hear glass breaking, people yelling, and worst of all, children crying, there’s a problem. I don’t know for sure if he actually hits, but the abuse is there, just the same. Kevin laughs at me for being so affected, but I can’t help but feel my heart break for the poor kids. The adults should be the ones protecting them, and yet, instead, they show them a world where raised voices and threats prevail. I think of the rare fights that Kevin and I have. We raise our voices, we trade barbs, but invariably, within ten minutes, we kiss and make up. The neighbors have now been going at it for 3 hours. Every time it happens, I go and hug my husband. Then I call the police. I will not be a silent witness in their drama.
January 11th, 2004 at 10:39 pm
Those neighbor kids are lucky to have you. I think if I hear it, I’ll be sad right along with you. I can only imagine how scared those kids must be at times like that. I’m so thankful that I grew up in a peaceful home. Too many people turn a blind eye, and I’m proud of you for calling the police when you hear it.
January 12th, 2004 at 10:00 am
Keep calling the police every time you hear them fight. Who knows you could be stopping it from going further.
January 12th, 2004 at 2:20 pm
You’d be calling the police on me, I swear!
I’m screaming and a yellin’…at husband at Spritle! But, maybe no one takes me seriously because I’m the only one yelling! I’ll bet people think I’m Crazy Lady! (psst…she’s on the “cycle”!)
And yet…
I know it’s difficult to “get involved” because it’s pretty hairy one way or the other, but you must follow what you feel is right…It’s so true that for one of those times you call, it could be the very time it saves lives*:)
Maybe the guy (family) will be put into counseling and be able to work out his/their aggression, or at least, have it addressed. If he does end up dead, or he hurts someone, no one’s going to take responsibility, so I’m with you all the way!
(Please don’t tell the Fuzz I need counseling…)
I don’t know! Who do I think I am? Dr. Phil?
Egads!
January 12th, 2004 at 3:07 pm
It is hard to be the one to call – it’s harder to be the one inside who can’t call. I know. If you can hear them, it is not civil and not peaceful and it affects you and you have every right to have it looked into. As long as no one says anything, nothing changes. Looking the other way is not the answer – it’s not responsible. Violence can not be tolerated in our bedrooms, or our neighborhoods. Otherwise what are we teaching our children? Bless you.
January 13th, 2004 at 5:33 am
I had a college professor who used to say “Silence is the voice of complicity.” Far too often it is easier to be silent when we should really be speaking out. You are doing the right thing Merrin.