Runaway Rescue

Zale was at his wit's end. He was being bullied at school, his mom wasn't listening, and he missed his little brother. Fed up and frustrated, he decided to run away. He was on the outskirts of town, marching furiously, and planning to hit the highway. He was going to hitch a ride to visit his brother up North. Zale is 11 years old.

On the other side of town, Mel and Murray decided to purchase a pair of rollerblades for the women to use at the Women and Family Home. For $15, this size 6 pair of blades is a great deal. They get them home, and lo and behold, they are missing the wheels!!

Embarrassed, the store owners said they could pick any pair off the rack for free! Well, they went with a size 8, so more women could borrow them. In the meantime, they decide this has taken up a fair chunk of their day, so why not go out for dinner? Where to?

"How about all the way across town to Rochdale. We'll try a new place."

Usually Mel isn't crazy about driving across town, but today they are in no rush and so, "Why not?"

Off they go and they finally reach the boonies and they see this boy on the side... "Wait! Stop the car! It's Zale!!"

Previously Zale had discovered he could lock himself in his room, and in a fit of anger, decided to do this. Not his mother, his sponsor, the women, female staff, Ken or me could get him out. But, Mel had helped him enough times with problems at school and after school that he trusted her. Out he came. And quickly we made sure the door could not lock from the inside ever again!!

Well, Mel and Murray's plans were no coincidence. Melanie is probably the only one who could have convinced Zale to get back into the car that afternoon. And she is the only one he would have believed when she said she would call the police before letting him hitchhike to North Battleford. They invited him for supper but he was upset, tired, and confused. They took him back home, where Mom and others had been frantically searching.

The lost has been found. The runaway has been rescued. I wonder if Mel and Murray ever went to dinner that night.