This is a true story. It happened a couple of weeks ago, and it keeps coming back to me like that one unmatched sock in the wash. I’m wondering what you would have done, had you been in my shoes.
The other day I was at the corner gas station, filling my tank, when a Hispanic man approached me with a toddler on his hip, a gas can in his hand. His English was only slightly better than my Spanish . . . but I understood that he wanted me to buy a couple of gallons of gas for him. I looked at his van, with Texas plates. No one else was inside. I asked him where the baby’s mother was. “She’s gone. Left him with me. I’m going home to find work in Texas.”
As I pumped gas for him, I wracked my brain for what to do. The little boy was skinny and grungy and silent, wide-eyed as he clung to his dad. I asked him when he and the baby had eaten. His non-committal answer prompted me to take him next door to Walmart and get a few things. Some milk and bread and apples. A pack of diapers. Gabriel was effusive in his thanks. Little Diego just stared. I had never seen a baby so quiet. Part of me wanted to take them home, let them do their laundry and maybe put the dad to work in the yard for a bit of pocket money. But he wanted to get back on the road.
I wasn’t sure I’d read the situation correctly. Should I have called child services? What if the little boy’s mom was looking for Diego? I wasn’t sure that he was a legal resident. If not, what would have happened to the little boy?
What would you have done?
Life on the Road Less Traveled 
I’m guessing that since the man didn’t just bolt, that he hadn’t kidnapped the child. I think you did right with the food and diapers. Beyond that, I’d probably have memorized the license plate and then checked for Amber alerts. And prayed. I’m sure you’ve done plenty of that.
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I have . . . I didn’t think of Amber alerts at the time. I told the Lord if he wanted me to do more, bring the man back to the gas station when I’m there.
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I find these situations so conflicting, but I would have done the same, and then what Franciscanmom said.
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I don’t think it is within our power to solve all of the problems someone has. We can just work on the ones in front of us. I don’t know that being put in a foster home far from his home would have really helped Diego.
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You’re right about that Kathy. Keeping the child with a loving parent really is in his best interest.
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I think that you responded in a wonderfully caring manner. I agree with the idea of checking for an amber alert (but I wouldn’t have thought of that at the time, either).
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Thanks, Patrice. That little boy was unforgettable.
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