Scary Kids Scaring Kids

A few times a week I usually take Harper to one of the local parks, there are a good amount of parks around where we live and they are maintained well. It's a good opportunity to get her some fresh air and socialize with her fellow munchkins.

It also lets me get out of the house.

A couple of days ago we were at our usual spot when two small kids a brother and sister started to play in our general area, they were watched by a lackadaisical grandmother. The little girl was probably not quite two, around Harpers age but didn't seem very interested in anything, mostly just stood around and stared at things.

The little boy was all over everything like a spider monkey he was probably about four. He talked to Harper for a minute and then went back to his playing. She kind of wanted to play but couldn't climb the jungle gym as fast, so she pretty much did her own thing and had a good time. 

We were walking away getting ready to leave he runs up to Harper and pushes her down. 

I kick his head into the river and hit his negligent guardian with the remainder of the body.

no 

deep breath...

I asked him calmly to be shaking in rage what he thought he was doing and told him to go back to his grandmother and to stay away.

All this time Harper is looking at the little boy incredulously. Her bottom lip begins to quiver and I pick her up and keep walking away. I asked her as we walked, "are you okay?"

She sniffs hard as she shakes her head and signs ,"no". a little tear is on her cheek and my heart breaks when I realize exactly why. Her feelings were hurt.

This sounds so stupid but it was almost worse than if she had gotten a skinned knee or a bruise. She's been hurt before, but her feelings never had been.  No one had ever been mean to her before and that little twerp was.

On reflection i realized that I do not envy the first boy who breaks up with her. He's going to miss having hands.