Fight Night

Saturday night we went out for some food in The Beaches Beach, and as we were heading back to the car, some movement across the street caught Q's eye. We turned to look and saw a man, his girlfriend/wife and what I assumed to be their 6 or 7 year old son emerge from behind some cars. The two "adults" were arguing and she began walking ahead of them and he would continuously grab her arm and she would yank it away. The kid silently plodded along behind them. It all looked very wrong - especially when he was screaming in her face.

There was also a group of people over there who were watching the spectacle move down the sidewalk. We went over to ask what had happened and apparently the man had knocked the woman down (which we didn't see because of parked cars). A woman in the group tried to dial 911 to report a domestic assault but her phone wasn't working so Q called on his and reported the incident.

While waiting for the police to show up, the girlfriend/wife left and the guy and his son wandered aimlessly up and down the street. All the other witnesses soon disbanded and we eventually went home too, figuring that the cops probably weren't going to show or the people would leave by the time they did arrive. Well, the cops did show and we got a call asking us to go back down and meet them.

As luck would have it, the trio were walking up the street as we parked in front of the cruiser. Q got out and pointed them out to the police. As we sat in the car watching the cops questioning them in my rearview mirror, I began to have doubts. Did we have the right to intrude on someone else's private affair? What right did we have to call the cops on someone having an argument? How awful would it be for the child to see his father taken away in handcuffs - and to be the one responsible for it? Q was adamant that we'd done the right thing - something which most people wouldn't do. We weren't the only ones concerned by what we saw either, and deep down I know that what I saw was disturbing - especially because there was a child present.

The cop came back to the window, asked for our statements again, and told us that the couple were completely denying that anything was wrong and that she'd fallen and he simply grabbed her to help her up. They were also arguing over the dinner bill. It was bullshit but we didn't see him push her down - other people did and they were gone. All I know is that we saw a nasty argument that should not have taken place in public, let alone with a child present. But in the end they convinced the cops that it was all a misunderstanding and we went our separate ways.

The couple were full of shit. I may not have heard their story but I know it was a cover up. Their son gave it away. His face and demeanor never changed throughout the whole evening. From the argument, to when she disappeared and he walked aimlessly up and down the sidewalk with his father, to when the cops started questioning them - he had the same, blank look on his face. Almost removed, like he was in his own world to protect himself from what was happening around him. He never spoke once. My heart went out to him. I can't imagine what he must go through at home.

I'd like to say I can't believe that she would protect him, but I can. It's all part of being a victim.