I think for the reasons I screwed up?

[Patch]

Late afternoon I was having a nap when suddenly I seemed to be surrounded by sirens, hmm? I got up and crossed over to the bedroom facing the street and sure enough there were firetrucks approaching from both directions then ambulances and police.

 

I could smell smoke but in the confusion I couldn't make out from where. Then I caught glimps of a fireman guiding a man and woman from their house then banging on the doors on either side. Then like in a show the flame jumped perhaps 20' above the roof! The smoke was real thick by then but spread apart as tho being dominated by the flame or say getting out of the way. Certainly from my vantage it appeared the back of the house, was a blaze.

I could see clearly the neighbors shaking and he at least was wet so I put my boots on and went through my closet to find a couple jackets. I am a tall fit build but them not so much. SK now he's 6' and 220 so I grabbed my amazing wool navy P-jacket for her and SK's lined denim hooded for him! I rushed thru the crowed lacking in social distancing and between he and the fireman helping him into the jacket; then thru the other end of the crowd to her.

Now me being me, as I help her with the coat I mentioned that it was my favorite "chick pickup jacket;) " and so, when this was allover she of course owed me a date!

I remembered the fireman staring at me as I was helping the fellow with the jacket as tho we knew one another?

But what really struck me was the dirty looks I received from many of the spectators!

Many of which I didn't know like new arrivals to the neighborhood.

 

Last year we had a rush of that here and, old SK and I quickly moved to breakup the newly formed groups around us.

I'll add this, I enjoy seeing a family settle regardless of where they hail from; bobby-pinned cars, brooms in their hands, the children lending a hand... looking to be accepted... you know what I mean, a fresh start for a family. But those that think we are push overs and show no courtesy to the neighborhood... chose the wrong neighborhood!

 

But what really knocked me over was SK. I called him at work to let him know what was going on and that I had pulled one of his jackets.... 2 hours later he called back very upset? I should have asked him... The virus...

SK and I grew up together, I had promised him Mom I would always keep an eye out for him. After his Mom passed SK soon found trouble back home and well was heading for a stretch. I and my company at the time made a deal with the courts and took charge of him. I cannot say I have had many moments of regret over the decision until last night that is.

I washed the risk out of his jacket and rehung it last night, I'll be sending mine off to the cleaners but; my disappointments from last evening, not so easy to wash away.

 

The fireman turns out we do know each other.

 

Soap and water and, social distancing yes but - if a person falls beside you...

[cowpuc]

Thanks and hats off to you for jumping in to help Patch.. I know what you mean about doing whats gotta be done regardless.. Back when the HIV days were heating up I came upon on accident while out biking, got pretty bloody as I was the first one there.. When the police arrived they offered me some rubber gloves and a face shield but I declined and asked about some hand cleaner.. The officers scolded me for not taking precautions but thanked me for the early assist.. Kind of a double edged sword IMHO but aint no way on Gods green earth I could just stand there and not help someone in need,, guess I am made like you brother..

SPECIAL DOUBLE DOUBLE TRIPLE HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR 1ST RESPONDERS DURING THESE DAYS.. YOU FOLKS ARE HERO'S IN MY EYES!!

[sldunker]

You did the right thing.

[Marcarl]

You got it right Patches, down the road SK might come his senses as well,, let's keep hoping,,, and praying!!

[Condor]

Brings back some memories. After afternoon college classes and on the way home I spotted a man laying along side the road unconscious. He looked like he was homeless. Pretty disheveled.. It was colder that a well diggers a$s and he only had a light shirt and pants on. So I grabbed my 'really' nice down jacket and covered him with it. The firetruck and ambulance arrived and hauled him off. Somebody else must have called?? Anyway I never saw the jacket again. Hope he liked it.. :-)

[bpate4home]

Screwed up? Nah, just being human. The situation was human. Some stand around and gawk others jump in and help. Glad you and most here classify in the latter.

[Yama Mama]

I think you did a very good thing. You were a Good Samaritan for sure!

 

I guess in this society we have to be careful who we assist, but your reaction was a good one.

 

Yama Mama