The Attempted Kidnapping

There is no harder job than being a parent.

Jack leaned over from his huge comfortable chair and peered out the blinds. Little Jack Jr had not made it down to the street, yet. This was his big day. Dad was going to let him walk the two blocks to the school bus pickup, alone. He was seven, and it was time. Most of his friends walked about the same distance unaccompanied, and now it was Jack Jr's turn. Still, being the kind of father he was , he couldn't help but keep an eye out.

 

There's my, boy, Jack thought to himself, as he watched his son wait for the walk light. Jack Jr was his life. After his mother ran off, Jack Sr took on the role of everyone: mom, teacher, friend, protector. He watched Jr leap onto the curb, the heavy back pack almost making him lose his balance. Every year, he did just like his father did with him...just a little more trust, a little more personal responsibility. That's how it was done. Jack Jr was about halfway there, already. Out of the corner of his eye Jack noticed an old beat up white van slowly trailing his son, just a little ways behind. Jack sat up a little straighter, and pulled the blinds all the way up. It was nothing, but an old beat up white van, Jesus, how many times had he heard that on "Cops" or " America's most Wanted , he thought. Just then he saw Jack Jr stop, at the same time the van stopped.

 

Omigod, He was talking to him! What did I tell you, Jack..NEVER talk to a stranger , especially one in a car ? Jack didn't have enough time to run downstairs, All he could do was watch. Thoughts screamed through his mind, as he quickly pulled his jeans on, never once taking his eyes off the van.

Then, like a miracle, he saw Jack Jr take off running back to their apartment.

 YES!! Good going, Son, just like dad taught you!

Jack watched as his son ran with all his heart towards home. He also watched the van speed away. He tried to get a license plate number , but it was too late.

" Dad, that man wanted me to help find his dog, he heard his son yell from down the street. Jack flew down the steps of his second floor apartment, his heart pounding with joy. Jack Jr had left his bag, and his little legs were still pumping when Jack reached the bottom of the steps.

" Jackie you did perfect, son", Jack Sr yelled, as he saw his son dash between two parked cars.

 " JR, WATCH WHER........"

The impact was shattering. Jack watched as his son's limp body was catapulted like a rag doll, spinning at least a half dozen times before it slammed against the parked bakery truck.

 

He wept uncontrollably as he held his son's limp and lifeless body...the sounds of sirens coming far in the distance. There are so many lessons a parent must instill in their children...sometimes, in the end, just too many...too damn many.

 

 

Reviews

[Raef C. Boylan]

Damn, Rain

[welcome back by the way]

This is so believable, and gripping because of it. You've written it so well, that we really feel the father's tension throughout and then his pain as one near-miss transforms into tragedy.
The lesson we take from this is a harsh but important one. All the protection in the world doesn't equate a guarantee, so it's better to allow gradual freedom and responsibility, so that at least there will be enjoyment and growth along the way, as opposed to resentment and cotton-wool-kids.

"After his mother ran off, he took on the roll of everyone" [roll = role]
[maybe say 'Jack Sr took on the role', as both Jacks are mentioned in this sentence?]
"lessons a parent must instill in their children" [instil]

Thanks for sharing this with us Rain.
Excellent write.

[Robert Luna]

Oh what a sad tell you wove here my friend. Lessons of life coming far to late. I knew your imagination was not going to allow it to end so easily as the kid just running home to be safe and sound in his fathers arms. This was such an impressive write and the story was perfect told.


Great Job!!!!!!

[Kelly Scheppers]

You pull at my heart strings you know, with stories like this. Deciding when to let our children walk alone, is a very hard choice, and even then, we still need to watch them from a safe distance. How well I remember going through this with my young son.

It is chilling, what can happen to a child, so close to home. I shall hug my one and only a little harder tonight for this..thank you!

And welcome back! I was quite sad to find you gone this morning...be well, and write me anytime!

My best,
Kelly

[V. K. Harris]

Holy God, Im in shock. I saw a little boy get hit and killed by a car while he crossed the street on his bike. It haunts me everyday, I don't understand why I was allowed to witness it, but I hope God had a reason.
This is a well written story with the perfection you always display. Excellent.

[Brette Medb]

Wow. I think that's about the only word that can sum up the ending impact of this story. That was not at all what I expected and it hit hard. I don't think I even have any words to describe the feeling this left me with. Great write Rain.

Brette

[bluessadmood]

oh that was so nice,did it have to turn like that ,fate ,oh fate never know whats installed ahead ,this was so nice ,the real twist of events so typical of you and of good writings,just great as usual

[[untitled]]

That is so heartbreaking. There are way too many lessons its true. being a parent is all about helping our children grow up and learn to be independent and sometimes we lose sight of that but this is the reason why we don't want to let them be independent. Something like this could happen to any child. It's so sad. Welcome back by the way!

[Imperfection]

As usual this was well presented.
Because of the title, I'd assumed that all will be fine in the end.
But I could have never predicted the twist.

The descriptions all through were amazing.

Great story.
Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed it very much.

[Carole]

This is a heart wrenching story. I presume a true one? I got a little lost towards the end though. You were having a complete conversation with your son about how the guy in the white van had wanted Jack Jr. to help him find his dog, (I presume while he was running), and then all of a sudden he runs into a parked car, was catapulted into the air and dies? God, this breaks my heart. It happened so fast.

I would be a little more specific in this part of the story so people don't get lost. To me, he was almost home and that's the picture in my mind. You had quite a conversation with him from the porch. Were the cars parked but running? I could understand the catapult if I car were moving, but a parked car? I have run into parked vehicles myself and the impact threw me backwards to the ground.

What a painful story for a parent to witness. I am still a little speechless...

[Y.F.]

There's no greater love in this world than the one between parents and their children - so unconditional, pure and protecting.
You can't protect your children from everything, and as yo try you might make a mistake or two along the way.
Thankfully, most cases of trial and error end up a bit better.
A great story with a great moral to it.