So, we’re at the pool and I notice the kids with me have gradually got in the way of a man swimming laps. I asked them all to move and most do. One of the boys with me hasn’t yet moved. He’s on his way but the man is swimming right at him. This man knows the boy is there, he’s touched him with his hands for the last two strokes of his arm.
At this point I think to myself something isn’t right.
I keep my eye on them. The man has backed my friend’s boy into the wall.
The Man stands up over The Boy looks down at him and
YELLS “GET THE F*** OUT OF MY WAY”
Totally unnecessary. Absolutely uncalled for. Did I really just see that? Perhaps, I was daydreaming. I do that sometimes. But my heart immediately begins to race and I’m not even sure that I heard what I thought I heard but I’m pretty sure I read the situation correctly. I ask The Boy “What did he just say to you?” He was scared. He was sure he had done something wrong and afraid to repeat what he just heard.
The Old Man was again swimming his laps. I reach for a ‘noodle’ (the foam long floating things) and I poke him in the head. He looked up surprised. ‘Did you curse at my kid?’ I asked. My blood was boiling. {Picturing my heal kicking him in the face.} He acts as if he can’t hear me and lets me know he’ll be done in 4 laps.
Believe me. This was a good thing. Breathe…. Breathe…. Deep Breath… Breathe… I think I was able to get my blood temp down to just below boiling but it didn’t stay there for long.
This S.O.B. gets out of the F***ing pool. Breathe… Deep Breath… Ok, try again.
The Old Man gets out of the pool in his disgusting Speedo bathing suit and says “Are these all your Hellions? Keep your little hellions under control.” I no longer needed to confirm he cursed at my boy (ok my friends boy) now I feel like an angry Mama Bear. Still trying to remain calm on the outside, I reply “I respect that you were swimming laps but that doesn’t give you any right to curse at ‘my boy’ {You, son of bitch. No I didn’t curse at him. That was just one of my fantasy memories}
“Have you ever heard of Freedom of Speech?” he replies “You’re worried about them hearing curse words? They hear way worse than that from their buddies at school.”
I’m floored. He actually believes that what he did to the Little Boy was OK. He actually believes that Freedom of speech is in place so he can intimidate little kids and woman. He actually believes that what he did was right? Sadly my only response is “Are you kidding me?” He gets his towel and starts to leave. My 2 year old says “Mommy he’s going bye, bye?” “Yes” I say “Say ‘good riddance’ honey. Hasta la vista,” He turns to me as he’s walking out the gate. “You’re so worried about your Hellions hearing curse words but you allow them to break the pool rules by having toys in the pool. I have every intention of getting your pool rights revoked.” Um really? Can he do that? I didn’t know they couldn’t have pool toys. I never actually read the rules. Who would’ve guessed that kids couldn’t play with toys in the pool? So, I yell as he’s walking down the street. “You’re a BULLY. How can you live with yourself? You like living your life as a BULLY?” and that was that.
I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I’ve thought over the situation over and over. A friend mentioned I should have beat him with the noodle not just poked him in the head. I fantasize about running into him at the grocery store and letting everyone in the store know he’s a BULLY. He picks on 9 year old kids. Then I can claim “Freedom of Speech” right? The really sad thing about the story is The Boy doesn’t want to go to the pool anymore. I’m hoping in time his fear will go away.
