So let me re-paint this picture for you.
My family and I decided to take a nice, peaceful stroll through a Pennsylvania state park, only to come across a very injured man at the bottom of a hill.
I didn’t sign up for this mess.
It’s a very steep drop. I could slowly inch my way down there if I really wanted to, but I really don’t want to. If one of my kids fell down there, for sure I would be hopping down there, but this man ain’t family. I’m going to call 911.
I now realize my whole family is at the edge of the cliff next to me.
“I’m going to call—“, I start to say but I’m interrupted by a screaming male voice coming from down that hill:
“DONT CALL 911!!”
It’s the injured, supposed-to-be dead guy!
WTF?
He coughs loudly a couple times.
“PLEASE! I NEED TO SPEAK TO ALL OF YOU!! PLEASE!!”
What the curse word is going on right now! First of all, I didn’t say “911”! So how did he know who I was calling? Secondly, how can he hear me from way down there? Thirdly, he needs to see all of us? Am I getting Punk’d?
I look at my fam. They are taking turns either looking down at the man or looking at me like a deer in headlights. I have to say something.
“You need to see all of us?” I blurt out. Man, I have to think more before I speak.
“YES!”, the man screams. “PLEASE!” Another really bad cough.
“Why?” See, there’s a better follow-up question.
“NO TIME TO EXPLAIN!”, he yells. “JUST BE CAREFUL AND CLIMB DOWN HERE! ALL OF YOU! PLEASE! HURRY!”
“Dad-“ , Haley says but I quickly stop her.
“Hold on Haley,” I say, probably abruptly. “I need like 10 seconds to think.”
This has to be the strangest thing that’s ever happened to me. I don’t know what to do. My initial thought is to tell this weirdo where he can go. I’m not making my family slip down a mountain! For what? What does he need to see all of us for? And why the hell can’t I call 911? You can’t stop me from doing that, mister!
But honestly….there is something in his voice that makes me feel like this man is serious. His tone is serious, and I’m overwhelmed with a feeling that he is trustworthy and legitimately needs to see us. What should I do?
Like I said. For the third time. I didn’t sign up for this mess.
.