Out Walking After Dark

Because of my bad back, I don’t often go for lengthy walks anymore for fear I’ll get someplace and it’ll give out on me and I’ll find myself stuck waiting for help. However, after getting a mild form of cabin-fever, I jus’ had to get out of the house for a bit.

So, jus’ after the sun set I decided to walk around the block.

Halfway through my jaunt I was accosted by a man standing on the corner of a cul-de-sac I was passing by. He challenged me by asking what I was doing. I didn’t answer, instead, choosing to high-tail it out of there as fast as I could walk.

After ignoring him, he started following me, peppering me with the same question. I finally turned on him and brusquely stated: “If you continue to follow me, I will be forced to treat you as a threat accordingly.”

He backed off, but called 9-1-1 to report me.

Within five or so minutes, I found myself in the company of three sheriffs’ cruisers. An older male deputy, a younger deputy and a female deputy were out of their cars and standing around me.

The older deputy demanded to know why I was threatening people in the area and wanted my ID.  I told him I was NOT threatening anyone as I was simply on a walk around the block.

Again he demanded my ID and I told him no, because I hadn’t done anything wrong. Then he reminded me that my ID is actually property of the state and that I had no right to refuse his request.

My response was less than kind: “You are only an agent of the state and not an official representative of the state and unless you are arresting me for an unlawful act, I am legally refusing your demand based on my Fourth Amendment right.”

“Oh, so you’re a lawyer, huh?” he shot back.

“By asking that question,” I returned, “which I’m sure was intended to be snarky, you know I’m right.”

Then I turned to the female deputy, “What you should really be asking is what was the man who reported me as a threat, waiting on the corner for? Is he waiting to buy or sell drugs? Did he feel I was a threat to his stash of pot or meth?”

She looked at the two deputies with her, “He has a point.”

After a pause, she asked “Can I ask where you live?”

I answered yes and told her.

She then thanked me and sent me on my way. While it was hard not to, I refused to look back as I heard their cars turning around in the street to go talk to the man who had initiated the incident.

Personally, I hope the a-hole was up to no good and that they busted his arse.