If you encountered intoxicated teenagers outside your condo after 11 p.m. in –25 C weather on a Friday night, what would you do?
I was asking myself that very question after getting home from the Meridian Source’s Christmas party last Friday, and I’d like to share what happened.
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Just like last year, Chels and I attended the local Special Olympics’ Christmas dance before my office staff party on Dec. 5. She volunteers with the organization on Mondays at the Lloyd Lanes bowling alley and loves putting on her dancin’ shoes with the athletes each year.
The Source staff party was a blast — full of fun, good food and friends. Despite the excitement, Chels and I were ready to call it a night shortly before 11 p.m. It had been a long week for both of us, and we were eager to get home and decompress with some Netflix.
We arrived at our condo building just off 18 St. on the city’s south end. I was outside plugging in our vehicles when I noticed two teenage boys leaving the building next door.
One was crying and saying he might need to go to the hospital because of a broken hand. His friend was on the phone calling a cab. It was clear they were a little inebriated and trying to call it a night after a party gone wrong.
In my sober state of mind, I asked if the boys were OK. They both said they were, and the one on the phone said he was calling a cab to get his friend home.
Seconds after declining my offer to drive them home, the other boy quickly asked through tears, “Actually, sir, would you mind driving me home?” When he looked up, I could see blood on his face, so I invited him into our foyer for warmth and some water.
A third teen emerged from our neighbour’s building, and Chels and I drove all three boys to their respective homes.
While driving, we learned the boys were all 13 years old, and the one with the bloody face had been a victim of drunken bullying. Apparently, our neighbour’s 15-year-old son had about 10 friends over.
Things got out of hand, punches were thrown, no adults were present, and the boy said he was attacked by three older boys while no one stood up for him. It broke my heart to hear this — especially knowing the boys were planning to walk home or wait for a cab in nearly –30 C weather.
They were drunk and only wearing hoodies. One of them, who lived near the outdoor pool, didn’t even know his home address because his family had recently moved.
I may not be a parent, but I’ve been drunk without a ride home in the winter — it’s not fun, and it can be dangerous.
I’m glad Chels and I were able to get these three boys home safely. They seemed like good kids, and all said they probably wouldn’t go back to that address to party.
I hope they choose better friends and stay safe while doing it.
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