This was a long time ago. I was probably 27 or 28 years old. I had decided to drive down the road and try to find some old friends after being out of town for a few months. This was back in the day, when most stores had an array of soda machines (we call them pop machines) in front. I pulled into the parking lot of a neighborhood grocery store. As I was putting my quarters in the machine, a woman came screaming out of the front door carrying a child. Right behind her was this man who was obviously bigger than me.
She reached her car and jumped in, however her window was rolled down and before she could get the car started he reached in and grabbed her by the hair. The child is now screaming as well. I didn’t know what to do, but I knew I had to do something. Before I lost my nerve I started walking toward him and shouted “Leave her alone!”
He told me something to the effect of mind my own business. So I replied, “Try me. Show me how tough you are, or are you just into hitting women?”
He then accused me of being her secret boyfriend. I don’t remember what I said to that, however I kept walking toward him. As I got closer, he let go of the woman and began running away. This was before the days of cell phones, so I had no way to call the police. It was kind of foolish for me, because this was southern West Virginia, and he could have easily gone to his car and got a gun. But I had to take the chance: and that was the bravest thing I’ve ever done, with or without spectators.
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