It is Halloween night, and I am staying with a friend and watching all the trick or treaters come by. Some of the kids are real cute, but some of the teens seem too old. Free candy can be a powerful temptation. I know this Halloween will be better than last year, which ended poorly.
I was in St. Louis stopping off from delivering cars to stay at my buddy's Jimmy's house. He was planning a big party, and as soon as I got into town I stopped downtown and went to find a branch of my bank, using the GPS. I soon found the bank, but had to drive three blocks to find any available parking. I grabbed my bank card from my wallet and put my wallet in the glove box.
I walked the distance to the ATM, took out $260, and headed back for the car. I noticed there were not too many people around. After I crossed a street, a large man stepped out of a dark alleyway. "Hey man."
I just kept walking.
"Hey man, I'm talking to you." He got in front of me. "Hey big man, you got a light?"
"Nope, sorry, I don't smoke." I tried to step around him.
"Help a brother out."
"I would if I could."
"Gimme your money."
"What?" Then very suddenly, I was grabbed from behind in a bear hug from a large man who held on tight.
"Money!" shouted the man facing me. He slugged me several times across the face, and it felt like my skin was being torn.
"You heard him," came the voice of the man holding me. His breath smelled of cheap whiskey, accentuated by his tremendously strong body odor. I felt dizzy and nauseous.
"Money, now!" yelled the slugger, then he punched me twice more. I was angry, but all the fight was punched out of me. The bigger guy continued to hold me, while his friend when through my pants pockets. He found the cash and my bank card, and took them both. When I was released, I collapsed to the ground, just in time for the slugger to kick me in the stomach. Then they both ran off.
I peered around from my spot on the ground, and I thought sweat was getting into my eyes. I later learned that it was blood. My slugger assailant had big rings on his fingers, and they tore my face up. Some kind folks saw me and ran up, asking how I was and calling 911. I kept asking them which way the thieves had gone, but none of them knew. They wanted me to focus on breathing.
I didn't get to go to the party, I spent the night in the hospital. The Doctor said my face would heal without permanent scars, and that I had a bruised rib. I called my bank to cancel the card, and had to make a report to the police officers who came to visit my room.
The thing that concerns me most is that it left me feeling bitter and angry, and wanting some payback for the guys who so brutally attacked me. I work very hard for my money, and don't make that much. So I take it personally in the extreme when someone takes a chunk from me. And bloodies me in the process. Why is there so much meanness in the world? I refuse to give in, and will continue to practice love, kindness, and generosity to those in need.
Whatever happens this year, it's got to be better than last Halloween.
