I have always loved to run. Only thing was, the neighborhood I was directly in was not the actual environment anyone, especially a young girl like myself should be running around in. There, on the other side of our neighborhood community, however, were homes residing on the outskirts of the water. It would be like that other side where I could envision my hopes and dreams of having a better and greater life as I would find myself running past each home. Those homes truly created a sense of belonging for me as I envisioned myself living in one of them, particularly a white stucco one with a flag the owner would change from time to time. Knowing that such lives existed, not too far from the demising homes of our community, I could rebuild my strength each time I stood in front of those houses, my vision board being real-clarified as to what my life will be.
Those runs were good for my soul and spirit back then. That’s why it was important for me to make them happen when I could. There was this one time I had started a bit later than I should. School had just started for the fall and so, sunset came sooner than summer had accustomed me to. Still, as usual, I would lace up my running shoes and resume to my usual route down the busy city hill toward the other side- that other world I ran to beyond the park, evergreens, and oak trees.
I presumed to keep going, knowing my usual turning point was that one white, stucco home with a flag outside. Funny how that house seemed so big to me back then because it was all I knew to be more than what I ever had growing up as a child in America. I would run to that house, just across the street from it. In my mind, I had touched that house each time I had arrived to that point- my mental marker. There I would be, taking a moment to rest so I could glance at it for that run without making it look too obvious as to not spook anyone in the neighborhood before turning back around, heading back home- to my reality once again.
This one day, particularly, I could see that the sun was beginning to set faster than I had prepared for by the time I arrived back to the park and canopy of trees above me. I started to feel uneasy, but slowing down wouldn’t make me get back home any sooner. I had never been out running that late where the sun was beginning to fade away, soon to be overcome with the awaiting darkness.
I could see that the street lights were beginning to light up. This gave me some sense of comfort as I started to pick up the pace a little bit more. Suddenly, I felt a car following me. You can sense a car following you because it trails behind your running speed, not the general 25-35 mph speed that other cars passing were going. I looked back to see, and to somewhat of a relief, I saw that it had been a police car who had turned around earlier at a T I had crossed. I thought it strange that it had made a U-turn and was now creeping up from behind me. I could not make the face of the officer, but could see that he was watching me, going about 5 miles per hour. It was a weird feeling, but I began to sense that the officer wasn’t going to drive away-the police car was literally tracking me from behind.
At the time I saw the police car start following me, I was about 1 ½ mile from home. There were small hills and one steep one to run before I would find myself to the house we were living in. I could see that the police car still hadn’t picked up any speed; just continued to trail along behind me. Not knowing any other way to react or what else to do, I just kept running.
Finally, I was home. The sun had set by then. At that moment, as I was nearing the top of the steep hill leading closely to where I lived, I felt a big sense of gratefulness that the police officer in that police car never decided to drive away. I looked back at the officer one more time as I was slowing down to catch my breath, walking up the rest of the way as I was nearly to the corner of our home at that time. Just as soon as I walked into our gate and to our front door step, it was then when I saw the police car drive off.
Not all officers were as kind as this one, but I want to believe he was the same one on another occasion. I was walking home from school. This police car’s lights quickly flashed to get my attention. I turned around to see that a police officer had rolled down its window, proceeding to speak to me. I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong given that I was minding my own business, just walking home from school. By the look on the officer’s face, I could see he knew it, too. I know a friendly officer’s face in our neighborhoods- those that would politely nod at you or give a gentle smile, the ones I would get growing up as a kid as they would just drive around from time to time, checking in on each block. This officer, had a different smile and demeanor about him, though. That look of attraction, trying to get me to stop walking as he proceeded to engage a conversation with me. I just kept walking, not listening to the words coming slyly out of his mouth as he continued to smile.
As if angels knew when to show, another police car came driving down the hill. This time, two officers were in this other police car. As this second police car slowed down next to the one that had pulled over next to me, one of the police officers gave me a sense of familiarity, giving me that feeling he was the same one who had followed me home to safety that other time. He rolled down his window and politely asked the other officer, the one still trying to get me to stop and talk with him if “everything was alright”. That first officer exchanged a quick glance at his comrades while now just seemingly following my moves as I continued to walk home. I saw that the other two officers continued to occupy that sole officer’s attention as I neared the corner of my home.
As I went into the house we lived in and I continued to my room, I felt a sense of divided thoughts and emotions overcome me. I couldn’t figure it out back then, at that moment, because I was just in high school at that time. Now, looking back, I realize that I understood good and evil and how fortunate I was that there truly are angels looking out to protect the innocent. Times where I could have been abducted, run over, or simply taken advantage of and yet, I wasn’t. My innocence of life and those around me were shielded by not many, but just a few. And sure, there were times where angels must have overslept or had to tend to others who needed them more, but I have come home safe all my life aside from what could have been. While good and bad wear the same uniform as any other form of suits and jogging pants, I was lucky that I had such kind officers who stood and abided by their sworn oath to protect the community. Thank you, Officer. Wherever you are, wings or no wings. Thank you for being my angel. Rest assured, you helped to keep one safe.
