Refuge From the Storm

Last night one of my son's woke me at 2:30 to tell me that the young girl up the street (17) was spending the night because her mother had thrown her out of the house.  Her mother drinks.  The child has no idea how to cope.  Her mother is violent.  Child Protective Services has been called and the mother has been warned.  Apparently it doesn't matter.  She stayed in my other son's room for the night.

But on the way to work this morning I told the hubs that I didn't want him alone in the house with her.  I've told my boys that as well.  The mother is crazy and I wouldn't put it past her to accuse my men of something because she's angry that we took in her daughter at 2:30 in the freaking morning!

Because clearly it makes perfect sense to put a child out on the street at 2:30 in the morning in the middle of winter.  And believe me, no matter how old they think they are, at 17 they are still children.

Clearly it makes sense to be drunk at 2:30 in the morning and arguing with your 17 year old who should be in bed because she has school the next day. 

I'm no genius but having been on that side of the wine bottle many times, never violent but also never in my right mind, and the fact that the young girl showed up at our door in tears and stone cold sober...well, let's just say I had no problem taking her in at that hour.

Here's what is amazing to me.  No one was out looking for her.  At least no one knocked on my door.  Let me assure you, no matter how drunk I was, if I thought my child was out there in the cold night somewhere I'd not only be knocking on doors, I'd be knocking them down.  And then I'd call the cops and get them to knock down some doors.

I don't know.  Maybe she texted her mom and told her she was safe.  Maybe her mom passed out.  Maybe her step dad miraculously grew a pair and made the mom go to bed and then texted the girl to check on  her.  Doubtful...but maybe.

In any event, I hope that things have been worked out but if they haven't, she's welcome to stay as long as she needs.  Because I can't fix her fucked up family, but I can offer refuge from the storm, a hug to make her feel welcome and an ear to listen if she wants to talk.

Namaste