Well we had quite an interesting time on a recent visit to this Seattle park. The Colonnade is a mountain bike park under an overpass area in Seattle. Aaron had taken the boys once, and they've been dying to go back. So we made the plan, drove there on a Sunday and wow! It was my first time and it was more extensive than I imagined and--steep. When we were first there a few people were using the course at different points and an intoxicated man was hollering down below. It seemed he was mostly hollering to himself, so I made a mental note to avoid that area. Unfortunately he came up to join a small group of us around a tiny dirt bike-styled "pump track" where Ian was attempting some moves, and our first encounter with "Mr. D" began.
We were a bit on alert because the park is structured somewhat "one-way" but there aren't necessarily signs directing this and lots of blind corners. Aaron didn't even bring his bike because he planned on closely shadowing the kids constantly. I'm pushing Ian a little when the heckler loudly says, "Ahhh! Take the training wheels off, c'mon!!"--LOUDLY. I turn in his direction and reply loudly "ZIP IT!" (I might have even pointed at him) Nice, huh?
Aaron is there in a minute and the other family with older girls, so I'm not in danger and feel a little bold and put out, and don't want my son to have a complex about his training wheels. I'm too focused on Ian to really follow up on my command, but Mr. D wanders off after a few moments and sputterings. Aaron says, "Did you really tell him to zip it?-wow." I'm really not comfortable with that guy wandering around. When we move down the hill to a flatter spot he is there in a nook still being loud, cursing to himself. We don't want to give in to the baser side of life and leave early, after we've been planning this a few weeks, even though I really want to leave. This park is not for him, it's for bikes, although there is clear signs of homeless habitation.
My feelings are a bit angry for the situation which makes me uncomfortable in a place that is supposed to be fun and instead I am miffed at this intrusion. Of course, we are trying to explain it kindly to the kids, when I am more disgusted inside.
Then the moment of unwanted excitement begins and the guy starts making his way rather purposefully to where we are with our two small kids. Aaron is working with Ian at the moment and I am a bit away with Benjamin. He passes Aaron and continues moving steadily but not fast toward me and Benji. I am planning on him walking right by and down the path but he slows and abruptly turns toward us. I am not unprepared for this, since I don't trust him at all, but I put myself between him and my kid, and say forcefully (very creatively), "Get away!" Benji is transfixed by this weird guy and can't stop staring at him, not moving forward to get away, but just staying tucked behind me on his bike.
The guy is older, bearded with a hat on and light blue eyes, weathered face. One eye is hugely dialated and the other pupil small. He starts mumbling stuff, but not advancing, he is perhaps 2 feet from my son, and I am up a ridge a bit from where he has turned toward us. I reach out and with my palm on his chest, shout again, "Get back, get away from my son!" he takes maybe one step back and Aaron is rushing over, Mr. D's gaze still fixated on Benji.
I am trying to get Benji to bike calmly down the hill away, and I'm ready for a lunch break! I am trying to get Ian's attention so Aaron can address the guy if needed, but he's kind of just riding without much care. I am shoving Benji up the incline toward the car (he is moving--slowly and still staring at this strange guy). I am calling Ian to come have some lunch.
Aaron is talking with the guy, then increasing volume, "You may not talk to my son." Then the guy starts swearing at him and calling us swear-names and Aaron pulls out his phone to call the police.
"Go ahead and call the police..." Mr. D slurs. Aaron steps away then and follows us up to the car while on the phone with the dispatcher. Shortly several police cars drive up and later an ambulance comes and they put the guy on a stretcher. The man made no effort to leave at any point. He apparently had a burning desire to do the Catholic crucifix (pointing across your chest) to Benji. He was angry that Aaron wouldn't let him share this... okay.
It shook us all up a bit. Benjamin just couldn't get the man out of his mind, and I think I added to the drama by being loud and abrasive instead of trying first to redirect the man, maybe, but Mama bear showed up and that was it. Aaron was impressed by the fact that I pushed the man back. It scared Benji to think I had spoken to a stranger like that, and he couldn't sleep that night. He was truly worried after the fact that he could have been hurt. We prayed a lot with him, and tucked him in with a light on. In our bedroom Aaron related it to me over again, planning to punch the guy if things really got dicey. I too felt empowered to protect our family because Aaron was there and I knew I had back up if the guy got wild.
That's the facts and feelings of it, I wish it had happened differently, I hope it makes my kids feel safe in the long run, but it definitely gave them a glimpse at the real life a hopeless person could lead. And what self-destructive behavior does in a life.
I'm trying to find the picture I took... and I ate it all--the entire plateful. It wasn't filling like meat... but I knew it was enough to eat, so that was my lunch. I am proud of myself, more for my work of art... the colors were so lovely together.
