The Stray

I have a confession to make. I am generally a good-hearted person but sometimes I get a 'little bit cranky’. (Dad would disagree that it's a little bit cranky but this is still my blog)

Yes I can get a 'little bit cranky' and this is one of those times so let’s just go back a bit…


Down our street are quite a few houses but one in particular is my own personal nightmare. About four years ago, there was a knock on the door, and, as you do, I wandered over to see who it was. (I was also desperately hoping it was not yet another salesperson because I really don’t like dealing with them either) It was a woman and basically our conversation went like this:

Her: Hello, you don’t know me but you are obviously a soft touch. My husband needs our car so that he can get to work to pick strawberries, I need you to take our son to school and then bring him home in the afternoons.
Me: How do you know what school we go to?
Her: I was parked behind you at the school and followed you home. It would be so nice of you to relieve me of my parental duties of playing taxi for the snot-nosed brat. Besides I have other more important things to do, like sleep all day and recover from Thursday night bowling.
Me: Ok. (Fantastic! Now I have a stalker who lives down the road!)

Obviously that conversation was not 100% accurate but it was a while ago. I assumed that it would be a short term thing because they were trying to save money for another car (she actually did say so). I also stupidly assumed there’d be some sort of reciprocation. Sadly, there was no offer for petrol money, or the remote suggestion of she’ll pick up my boys because she’s got the car. Instead, there was just the lazy, sulking woman who had dragged herself from wherever she’d been lying to walk her son home. There was never ever a thank-you.

After a while I noticed that their car was often in the driveway and I got a 'little bit cranky’. I suggested to her that maybe her kid could catch the bus. She replied that there wasn’t one. Because I’m obsessive (I prefer the word persistent –thank-you very much) I decided to look into it and would you believe that there were actually TWO bus services they could use?! She only needed to walk him a little bit further. Oh! And actually pay someone for the service! I printed out the information and gave it to her. She only got the hint when I set Dad on her and he told her no more. Interestingly enough, the kid then caught the bus and I didn’t have to deal with them. They moved a few months later and sometimes I think, was it just me? (Then I get over it)

About two years ago, Dad and I had just come home from shopping. A woman’s voice called out. Again, as you do, I went to investigate. She was holding a dog’s collar and wanted to know if we knew where it lived. I told her no. She asked me to take responsibility because she needed to get back to work and the stupid mutt was running all over the busy road. I agreed, mainly because the dog was very friendly, needed a bath and the lady needed to go back to work. I phoned the local council and gave them the information on the dog’s collar and they managed to find the owner. He lives in THAT HOUSE!!! Anyway, to keep this story short, the dog owner wandered over and took the dog back home again. The mongrel had escaped when his wife went shopping!

Back to The Stray… About a year ago, there was a knock on the door (and by now you know what I did) There was a young boy (4) standing there. That conversation went a bit like this…

Him: Can I come and play?
Me: No, where’s your mum?
Him: She’s not here.
Me: Where do you live?
Him: Not here.

Then I noticed a man down the street, calling for him to come home.

Me: I think your dad wants you to go home.
Him: That’s not my dad.

Yes, it was his dad but what was even worse was it was the HOUSE!!! Again!!!

Apparently the dad had split up with the mum and they had shared custody. Shame and he gets so bored… No one else to play with…

So yes, I said he could come and play… The kid turned into a Houdini. He’d escape from his home and turn up here. I’d march him back if he was on his own. Most of the time, his dad or grandparents didn’t even know he was missing. The worst was when Granddad (that dog owner) turned up and asked if I knew where the kid was. I guess they found him but they never told me…

I told the dad the kid could play but only if he turned up with an adult. If the kid was flying solo, I’d walk him back home.

The last time he came to play, his dad said it was just for an hour. Two hours later, I walked him home.

His dad was a bit annoyed because he was “just going to finish his coffee”. I got a little bit cranky. (It’s a 2 minute walk – I doubt the coffee will go anywhere!!!)

We hadn’t seen The Stray for a while, so I thought they’d got the hint. But No! He was back last Saturday (alone), yesterday (alone) and both times I sent him home. (Yes, I watched him until I could see one of his family members watching him – I’m not totally heartless)

Today, he turned up WITH HIS DAD!!! At 4:00 on a Sunday afternoon!!! He asked if he could come and play. I said no.

Time for The Stray to go but why do I feel so bad? I don't like that house!