Mother Courage

Mom and I had our problems sometimes when I was growing up--though we did a lot better as adults. One thing I will always love her for is how brave she was - and how fiercely she fought for her kids.

I learned a little more about her courage from my sister recently. My sister had a best friend whose father used to tutor some of her friends in math. This friend (who also had the same name as my sister) had a lot of  siblings. They always seemed very jolly and very strong in their Catholic faith.

Yet, one day this friend's father was driving my sister home from her math lesson. Instead of driving the usual way, he turned down a deserted street and drove a ways down a hill to a duck pond. 

"Mr. Rosetti?" my sister asked.* "Why are we stopping here?"

Mr. R made some excuse, starting babbling and then lunged at my sister, kissing her on the mouth and trying to stick his tongue down her throat. She was 15 years old. She pushed him away and said he was crazy. 

Luckily, better angels took over and he left her alone, after admonishing her not to tell anyone what had just happened (of course). He brought her home and she ran inside, informing my mother of what she'd been through.

My mother listened, nodded and then told us all promptly she was going to wring the man's neck. My father wasn't sure about that, but my mother knew immediately. After a few minutes, she called the man's home and he picked up the phone. 

At that point, my mom let the man have it with both barrels. She told him that first of all, as a Catholic, he should be ashamed of himself. Then she said if he so much as said one word to my sister again she'd kill him. No police reports, nothing, just go after him and take him out. And by the tone in her voice, I think he knew she meant it.

Some days later, his daughter accused my sister of lying, and the two young women never spoke again. This hurt my sister extremely, as she considered her friend one of her besties; and we don't know what may or may not haven happened to the man, or if he tried jumping on anyone else. 

I am not sure why my mother didn't report the incident, but I think at the time, she and my sister would not have been believed anyway. In remembering how tough she could be when she was angry, I know she must have terrorized the man; and am glad of it.

So even though she's not here anymore, I want to say Mom, you rocked! Thanks for your courage and for teaching us not to put up with ugly people. You were spectacular at that, with fireworks and sabers rattling. I will never forget.


*Name has been changed.