May 31, 2004

Did I do something wrong?

Today, stopped by the pharmacy in Liguanea, same one I stopped at when the little boy begged me money and I gave him. As I parked the car, I noticed a young gentleman, in shirt and tie, holding a large Pepsi cup, standing just adjacent to the Pharmacy's entrance.

I got out of the car, and just as I was about to enter the pharmacy (I'll use common letters, I think that's the correct thing to do), he says "Hi". I stop, turn to him and very hesitatingly say hi back. He says "you look familiar". I peered at him and thought the same about him, and said as much, but couldn't place him. I said bye and went into the pharmacy.

When I came out, he came over to me and said "I need to get to Widcombe Road". And I lied and said "I'm not going that way". Well it's not really a lie....really....per se. Cause I didn't go that way. I went up Old Hope Road, but if he hadn't asked I would have gone in the direction of Widcombe Road.

So I asked myself if I had just turned away Jesus, it being Sunday and all, and me not having gone to church in a loooooooooooooooooooooooong time (apart from the funerals which don't count).

But then the next thing he said made me realize that following my instincts was the right thing to do. He said "ok, you know what you can do? If you give me $100, I can catch one of the taxis" !!!!!!!! I chuckled and said sorry, but I'm unemployed!

So this lead me to think that perhaps he's a druggie in disguise, or some other mental case, in which case (not the mental one), I wouldn't have wanted to have been alone in the car with him.

Did I do something wrong? What do you think?

Posted by yamfoot at May 31, 2004 12:25 AM
Comments

Mich, why there is no picture of you here?

Posted by: timpy at May 31, 2004 02:35 AM

you did the right thing. cant be too careful in this day and age.

Posted by: J Did at May 31, 2004 07:06 AM

why you want to know what I look like Timpy? Isn't it better this way????

Yes, I felt I did the right thing. An inner voice said don't take him.

Posted by: Michelle at May 31, 2004 10:21 AM

Hey Mich, here is the deal. Just around the corner from Liguanea is Standpipe. Standpipe has a lot of drug selling going on, in fact, I know there is at least one crack house in there. There are numerous people round and about Liguanea who are on crack or coke of sup'm, in fact there is an old abandoned building just above the church by by Brooklyn Supermarket (I think its called St. Margarets) where a whole bunch of them live, along with rats and other vermin. These crackheads are always looking for money to satisfy their habit. Aside from all these people though, there are just regular wicked people, who have no good intentions to anyone, not even their mother.
As such, my advice to you is to give a drop to NO ONE, unless you knew them from your eye was at your knee, and in some cases, not even then.
Thats my bit of advice to you...

Posted by: Mad Bull at May 31, 2004 07:51 PM

thanks for the education MB.

Posted by: Michelle at June 1, 2004 01:27 AM

Bwoy, I just saw a tribute to Hugh Croskill a few nights ago - there was the upper St. Andrew guy from ligunea - light skinned, blondy brown hair, crack head, who was telling his story - it was wierd, because I had an encounter with him - a similar story to what you said - the "you look familiar" thing.
He cautioned the audience - about how desparate people on drugs are and how dangerous - I tell you the weird thing about crack - it does not dull your senses - the people are alert and lucid... the world is such a scary place - it is so hard to be kind to your fellow man. But listen to the small inner voice. Instinct is God talking.
Keep safe
P

Posted by: Princess P at June 1, 2004 11:07 AM

Mich,
Try not to pick up anybody. Even females. I have heard stories that some of these young "college looking females' are in league with 'big man'. Life is hard. Even if you want to help be very weary. There is a lady who frequents Barbican Road between the square and Widcombe. She also is in the Acadia, Shortwood Road area. She has two very young children with her, always flagging cars down. The first thing you think is...does she need to get to a hospital. I have been warned she will ask for a lift and money, or money for feed for the children. The children are believed to be 'borrowed'. Can you imagine them being used like that. Rough.

Posted by: gesmith at June 3, 2004 01:40 PM

Do not give drive to any stranger, man or woman. That is my approach. Caan trus anybody today.

You did nutten wrong IMHO.

Posted by: Dr. D. at June 4, 2004 02:19 PM