ActIII. Scene IV: *We are sitting in Starbucks drinking some wonderful coffee (or drink of your choice) catching up on us, the world, the news, and everyone else’s business.* Fill in your blanks on your blog or in the comments. *Quiet on the set!* ACTION!
Me: I can’t believe it has been a week since we have chatted! I am so glad Bob would watch the kids so I could come and have some down time! Speaking of kids, can you believe the news lately? I am shocked by the abductions and crimes against children that we are seeing lately. What do you think about them?
You: They just sicken me. Of course we as parents have to teach our kids to be careful of strangers, but now we have to take it to such extremes that I wonder if we’re going to end up raising a totally cynical, non-trusting generation. Even cops and priests can’t always be trusted. When I was a kid I had an uneasy experience with a fireman (nothing bad happened, but he gave a friend and me really bad creeps, and we were only 9). Who can we, or our kids, trust anymore?
Me: It has really had an effect on me. I won’t let my two kids out in our front yard anymore without me right there. I used to let them out in the front yard while I did chores in the house like we did when I was a kid. Not any more. They can only go out in our fenced backyard. I also am double checking the locks on our privacy fence in the back. Do you think parents have to be extra cautious these days? How far would you go to be cautious in this day and age?
You: Very cautious. Mine are too young to play outside by themselves, but the older one is getting there. I think I’d only let her out in the fenced backyard while the dog’s out there to bark at strangers. As she gets old enough, I might let her ride a bike up and down our street, since it’s dead end, but I can’t imagine letting her ride over to a friend’s house across the neighborhood like I did when I was a kid. Is it that streets have gotten busier or that I’ve gotten more cautious? Probably the latter.
Me: I can’t imagine what would drive a person to molest a five-year old. This sickens me to no end. What should we do to that type of criminal?
You: Well, back in the 80s there was a big flap over using depo-provera on rapists to take away their sex drive. I think that’s an excellent idea, although there were a bunch of people crying that it was cruel and unusual punishment. Why do criminals expect to be treated well? I think they should be treated as their victims were. There’s a scene in a Heinlein book where someone was stuck in a traffic jam because a criminal was receiving his sentence – he had been a hit and run driver, so he was put in the street, hit with the same type of car, and then had to wait the same amount of time that the victim did for medical help. Harsh? Sure. Deterrent? You bet.
Me: I heard the suspect in Samantha Runnion’s case was arrested on Monday. His mother spoke out on several news shows saying she had no idea he would be capable of something such as that but was preparing herself for the worst. What would you do if you found out someone close to you (relative, spouse, neighbor) was a child molester? How would you feel?
You: I think it’s impossible to predict my response. Pity, repulsion, fear, anger, hatred all come to mind. I’m afraid if we found out that a neighbor had been molesting one of our kids, my husband would take matters into his own hands. Not to perpetuate the Southern stereotype, but he’s hot-tempered and heavily armed.
Me: Oh by the way, did you catch the season premiere of Sex In The City? I Totally missed it! What happened (if you did see it)?!?
You: It was pretty good, although like everyone else I’m getting tired of Carrie whining about being single. They chopped out the twin towers from the opening shot without addressing 9/11, which kind of ticked me off. On the plus side they showed a realistic and natural view of breastfeeding, and I was rolling on the floor laughing when Brady’s bellybutton fell off and the cat got it and Miranda was totally grossed out.
Me: I have got to pee from all that coffee! You gotta go too or are you gonna hang here at the table?
You: Usually coffee makes me have to… well, nevermind.
Me: *After returning from the bathroom* Whew! Much better! What should we do now?
You: Let’s run next door to Barnes and Noble and shop for books!