May 27

I began my day like every other, mmm coffee. I struggled to focus again, tax time will do that to me. This is the first time I have had to do my own paperwork for taxes in almost thirty years. I have been finding it challenging to stay on task.

The day slowly progressed and I failed to finish the preparations for my accountant. I knew inside that it was a mistake. But I still have few days…

Our evening walk was on the agenda again. I stepped out my front door when a rusty old Dodge Duster went flying up our hill. He must have been going a hundred KM an hour. The car slowed and stopped at the top of our hill. When my wife appeared I told her that I felt we should walk up the hill tonight.

My neighbour Matt saw the same old wreck go flying up the hill. We talked about how we should react. Should we call the police? He was in favour of calling the police. I was hesitant, I said I should go talk to them. I thought maybe it was some young kids blowing off steam. Do we want to bother the police? My instincts told me to go up to these people in the car and ask them to slow down.

My neighbour laughed, “Good luck.”

I approached the spot the car had parked. I prepared myself for the conversation I was about to have. I felt fear and trepidation as I approached the vehicle idling at the top of the hill. Just then another vehicle appeared in the driveway from the left. I waved him down and chatted with him. I told him about my suspicions about the car just up the road.

Noisily it rumbled and it started down the hill towards us. I saw a young group of three kids in the vehicle as I waved the car down. They stopped and a young girl about nineteen sat in the passenger seat, she looked scared. In the back was a kid with longish hair and in the driver’s seat sat another youth with glassy eyes. The driver was clearly on something.

I looked at the driver and asked if he should be behind the wheel. The girl in the passenger seat spoke up, she pleaded with me that they were only going a block.

“You may not make it a block” was my reply. “you know you drove up this road like a mad man. We do not appreciate people driving like that on our road.”

“Sorry,” the girl looked truly remorseful.

“My friend was going to call the RCMP. I chose to come to talk to you instead. Don’t make me regret that decision.” I looked at the driver, “don’t drive wasted man. Park the car and walk”

“I’m ok.” Was his mumbled reply.

The kid in the back spoke up,” I can drive if you can’t” He seemed a bit more together.

I looked at him, “I was you thirty years ago. Don’t mess up this chance. Park the car and walk, it is not worth your lives or someone else’s!” I was unsure of what to do. I couldn’t just grab his keys or physically force him from the car. I was starting to wonder if we should have called the police. I remember being that young kid in the back seat; I hoped my message was sinking in.

“We will go only a block” the girl pleaded. At that moment the driver put the car in gear.

“Be careful” I called after them as they drove off. I took note of the plate number and stood wondering.

The neighbour that came out of the driveway followed them down the street. Krista came up and told me he planned on following them, if they looked bad he would call the RCMP. I felt a bit safer that he was behind them, I hoped they made it to their destination without incident.

I felt torn up inside as we continued our walk up the hill. Self-doubt gnawed at me, what could I have done differently? If we had called the police would they have made it in time? Did I just save those kids, or did I enable them?

Standing at the top of the hill I let the view fill my soul. The amazing view of the lake, the city and Little White in the hazy distance gave me a sense of calm. We held hands and breathed in the peace of the evening. I felt better as we walked home.

Why can we as a people be so self-destructive? Why take unnecessary risks? Why is the next generation so reckless? I survived my reckless youth. I feel positive that this generation will survive as well. As we open up our world from this lockdown I feel hopeful as a society we will thrive in spite of our reckless nature.