Henry II’s Right Shoe
Poor innocent Henry II. He had his right rear tire slashed today. Actually slash is a bit of an exaggeration. It was more like a few stabs and micro cuts. However, that was enough to completely deflate him. The current mystery is “When and where did it happen?”
At 11:00, Henry and I puttered over to Providence Hospital for my bi-weekly gamma globulin shot. When we left, I noticed that Henry was handling rather roughly. So, I pulled over and discovered a very low, but not completely flat tire. I navigated to a nearby gas station and filled the tire up with air. The “woooshing” sound of air escaping out of tire was immediately evident. So, Henry and I made our way to Johnson’s Tire Service. That’s where the stabs and nano-cuts were diagnosed. And of course, those are irrepairable. I’ll need to buy a new tire. But it was a winter tire that needed to be replaced so at least it wasn’t a brand new mega-bucks tire. But still…
Initially, I figured that the slashing must have occured in the Providence Parking Garage. Henry and I have had one other unpleasant experience in that garage - several years ago, someone broke into Henry while he was parked in the garage. A big pile of Christmas presents, CD’s, and my Christmas cards that were just ready for mailing were all stolen. One just doesn’t expect that thing to occur at a hospital - especially one run by Catholic nuns.
But, there is another possibility. This morning at 5:00 AM, Tyge the Wonder Dog, decided that we both must absolutely get out of bed and greet the day. ugh…So, at 5:30 AM we were out on the Coastal Trail for our way too early morning constitutional. There was no one else about - except for a passing bicyclist and two teenagers/young adults - a guy and a girl. They looked a little sketchy. Not true street people, but definitely had been out all night. The boy was kind of lit up - I don’t know if he was high on life or just high. The girl was a bit abashed. Anyhoo, just as I came up on them I could see that the boy had a very large long knife - in a scabbard and the knife had a hilt. More like a little sword than a knife. When Tyge and I walked by the pair, the boy asked if he could pet Tyge. I told him, “No, that Tyge was sometimes not good around strangers.” Especially a potential nut case with a knife - I didn’t verbalize that part.
The boy eubillianty responded, “That’s o.k., I have a knife.” And I responded, in a curt, sort of “don’t fuck with me” tone of voice, “Yes, you do.”
I admit, my response was not warm and friendly. But I really did want to terminate the conversation. Tyge and I continued on our way. He did his major business and then we turned around and headed back. The couple was still there but before I came up to them, the boy headed off into the woods. The girl still looked embarrased. She was standing there akwardly holding the big long knife. And that’s the last I saw of them.
However, it’s remotely possible that when the boy tucked off the trail he could have swung up and around, through the neighbor’s yards bordering the lagoon and followed us back and then weakly but effectively slashed Henry’s tire. But, to be honest, I don’t think that happened. For one thing, the cuts just weren’t big enough for that knife. Not unless it had a very long pointy needle like end. Plus Tyge was off leash as we headed back into the cul de sac and he certainly didn’t hear or notice anything. And as a former street dog, he is always on alert.
But it is all sort of coincidental.
And I know, the stupid thing was to have walked past the pair in the first place. But, I didn’t see the knife until it was too late to turn around. And I really don’t like to cede the trail to fear and that pair, although goofy, were essentially harmless.
It’s been quite the day. I think I’ll have a drink this evening.
Hello. I am 
