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So I winessed a fight this weekend ... well sort of. Was in the car with my kids drivring past a local high school as the soccer games were in flux- the traffic light was red. Saw a fat guy well into the precursor stage of getting physical with a skinny guy. The body language was crystal clear to me that skinny guys big mouth had gotten the better of fat guys temperment. There was also a woman and a child present but it was very mixed to whom the child held dear which I found remarkably disconcerting.
The fat guy shoves skinny then takes off his sweatshirt and shoves again and I see where this is going and the light turns green. I really wanted to do something but I exhaled and drove on to the hardware store (that's where we were going). My decision bothered me quite a bit and after our business at the hardware store was concluded we drove by the scene again (nothing there).
I think my oldest did notice what was happening but we didn't speak of it. I know many will opine that taking care of mine is more important but that is no comfort. What about the child? I could have just stuck my head out the window and yelled "NO" or "STOP" and I bet something would have changed. I really wanted to go over there and play my standard protective role for the sake of the child. I'm way bigger than either of the fellers so my usual intimidation by presence would have likely quelled things like it usually does. Nope. Nothing. Just drove away.