My Little Neighbor Didn’t Let Anyone Into His Home Until a Police Officer Arrived and Stepped Inside

“I’m worried about a boy on my street. I might be wrong. I’d like to be wrong.

But if I’m right and say nothing…”

He nodded and grabbed a clipboard.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Helen. I live on Maple.”

“Jack. He’s 12.

Lives next door. I don’t see any adults there much.”

I told him about the crying on the porch. The dark house.

The unanswered door.

He didn’t laugh or tell me I was overreacting.

“You did the right thing coming in,” he said. His badge said LEWIS. “Let me get Officer Murray.

He handles welfare checks.”

A few minutes later, another officer came out. Older. Calm.

The kind of man who makes you feel like things might work out.

He shook my hand.

“Helen? I’m Murray,” he said. “Tell me about Jack.”

So I did.

Again.

Continue reading…