Light and Dark

This sunlight-catching spider web reminds me of the hidden beauty you can find in this neighborhood, tucked here and there if you look for it. I need reminding, because I'm finding some of its residents wanting in pleasant qualities.

Last night I was walking the dog, and the main troublemaker of the group of lowlifes who are the bane of the neighborhood, a short little apey type in a perpetual dirty tanktop, approached me.  I was on the south side of the street instead of the north side that I live on, precisely because he and his buds were hanging out on that side around their double-parked van, smoking and drinking and laughing to music. They were not, at least, in our driveway. Still, "Manik" as I am told is his name, felt the need to come out of his way to approach me. (You may supply the Armenian accent.)

"My friend, we need to talk. Do you know who I am?"  He may have used "friend," but believe me, his manner was anything but friendly.

Technically, the answer was no, so that's what I said.  I think he was hoping I'd be all meek, acknowledging that he was Big Man on Campus. As if to shore up his credentials, he then asked: "Do you know how long I live here?" 

"All I know is that you don't live in my building.  And so you don't belong in the driveway. That's all I'm asking. Don't hang out in our driveway and there's no argument here!'

I crossed the street, woefully aware that Gaza had become too old to growl when I need him to, but noticing Manik's '"friends" didn't seem to be coming to back him up.  I would bet no small sum that he's considered the group clown, someone who gets drunk and shoots his mouth off, someone they use but do not trust or take seriously.  He started to sputter. 

"You are in trouble, you faggot. You better watch your ass!"

I got up my stairs, relieved to see three of my Filipino neighbors were on the stoop and had seen it all.  I called the local precinct, and asked for a squad car to come around. I am unsure if they did, I did not want to be seen coming to check.

Today, I went to the precinct in person again, made a complaint and asked that we get more black and whites cruising by at night.  I also talked to my friend Carol, who lives across the street and owns a building.  She reassured me that this "kid" (he's 33), lives with his brother, and nephews, and that he's a pain-in-the-ass, but non-violent. She's complained about him many times, so asked about him to feel reassured for her own safety.

I'm glad to know he doesn't have a gun under the seat, still, a confrontation like that was the last thing my trying-to-settle stomach needed. What I've decided to do is pick up trash at night too, because it'll make it much harder for him to somehow cast me as the neighborhood interloper.

I'm so looking forward to finding a house and getting out of here.

MCO 2008.