Vie de Fifi: 05/01/2007

So many of you know that I have had an interesting stay here in my apartment. The noise next door has been somewhat disturbing at times. It seems to be a collision of cultures. They value noise, I value quiet.

Well, today took it to a new level. I had to call the police. In my mind I HAD to. I was napping on the couch this afternoon when I got up to use the restroom. When i left the restroom, I heard a lot of commotion coming from the apartment next door. I heard banging around and then a female voice telling the male to get off of her. She said this many times. There was another female voice speaking in low tones. I couldn't really make out what she was saying. I also heard the baby named Israel crying. There was a child witnessing all of this. I could tell that the female who was being attacked was crying in between her yelling "get off of me!". My heart started racing. What do I do? Is he going to kill her? Is this simply none of my business? I couldn't just let something happen. So, i made my way to the front porch where I could still hear the yelling. Then, glass broke. I have no idea if it broke on someone. It broke. So, I dialed up 911. Police? Fire? POLICE. After a littel back and forth with the operator over location, she assured me someone was on the way. While on the phone with her, I hear someone yelling, "Get the fuck out of here!" The ladies are trying to get Patrick (I know who it is by now) out of the apartment. He doesn't leave.

Charlotte police must have more important things to do today. It took over 15 minutes for them to show up. I was so nervous. Do I sit outside? Do I stay inside? I opted to perch myself on the arm of the couch and see what would happen. It took maybe 2 minutes for the officer to go up to the door, to ask if anything was wrong and then to leave.

Maybe I should not have called.

Now I'm nervous because obviously they will know who called. I'm the one who has complained about their "noise" prior to this occasion. Will they be upset with me now? What if they retaliate?

I think I did the right thing. No, I know I did. There is a child next door. A woman was being attacked. She was in danger. I sure hope my neighbors would do the same thing if I was ever in that position.

It has made me reflect on my relationships. I thank God that I had a boyfriend whom I trusted completely. I know....I KNOW he would never have touched me in an argument. I know that he would never have threatened me or made me feel unsafe.

What is with people like my neighbors? Do they get brought up in homes where this is the norm? Why do women put up with that? Oh, I know there are a host of reasons, but right now I have to ask that rhetorical question.

Will this child, Israel, grow up to do the same thing as his father? Unfortunately I think that statistics would agree that he will. How sad.

Other than that the day has been very low key.