nunoncastors

I did something unusual last night; I went swimming which, granted, isn’t something I usually do, but that wasn’t it, no, I did something responsible, something… uh, kind, I guess, and, as opposed to thinking my usual dark thoughts, despairing at the world, and going on my way, I intervened.

At the pool there was a young girl who, I suspect, suffers from autism if only because she reminded me in her manner of Duncan’s brother, she was splashing about and playing as people do and, unfortunately, being teased by a fat ginger kid and his mates because, obviously, ‘spacks are mental. Mnnnnngghhh!’

Now, usually I’m not one to step in and have a word; breaking up fights is a good way to get stabbed in this city, but the whole situation rankled. I did a few lengths assuming that whoever was escorting the girl would step in but, after four or five, no one had and she was clearly quite upset.

So I did something I don’t think I’ve ever done before, I told off some children. I pointed out that they’re lucky to be in a position to tease and laugh at someone else’s expense, told them to stop it and then, because I couldn’t help myself, told the ginger kid that he couldn’t comment anyway as he’s ginger and therefore soulless, not a real person at all.

I know, I know, not the best example to set, hypocrite and all that.

Still, it had the desired effect, they stopped and I had a curious moment where I reflected on the fact that I was once an obnoxious little tit too. That second bit wasn’t really intended, but it did bring into sharp relief the fact that I’m still surprised, even now, to find that I’m an adult and that I do adult things.

Then, obviously, I brooded for a bit because I’m still convinced that I’m an inherently bad person based on how many thoughts and impulses I have to choke-off to prevent them flourishing into full-blown sociopathy, but still, little steps, little steps.