1972

1972
by Cheryl Campbell

A little girl, just eight years old,
wants to go for a walk.
She pleads with her mom, who finally gives in
and watches her skip down the block.

No longer in her mother's sight,
she happily walks along.
Unaware that nearby, a stranger lurks;
the plans in his mind so wrong.

She turns toward the drug store
to spend the nickel she found
she just had to buy some bubble gum
with the coin she saw on the ground.

Purchase made, she now heads back
the same way from which she'd come.
Oblivious to the danger ahead
all because she wanted some gum.

Walking in her little girl world
still thinking about her luck,
she didn't notice the man just ahead
who was waiting beside his truck.

His approach was quite sudden;
she was completely surprised.
"My truck ran out of water," he said
"and I need your help," he lied.

"If you'll just get in and ride with me,
I will bring you right back home.
I promise it won't take very long
but I just can't find it alone."

She said, "I need to ask my mom,
she's just right down the road."
He told her just to jump on in,
and she went into panic mode.

She knew she was in trouble
in more ways than just the one.
But suddenly her luck was back
and she realized her battle was won.

For coming around the corner
was her pal and hero-to-be.
The local small-town officer
was coming to set her free.

He asked if the guy was trying
to get her to go with him.
She said yes and he denied it,
but his future was looking grim.

The officer told her to run on home
and he took the guy away.
Of course she did as she was told
and the story she did relay.

Her mom was not long going
to the station to face this creep.
But unfortunately, luck was on his side,
they let him back out on the street.

They only slapped his dear little hand
and sent him on his way.
Told him to never come back again,
or next time he'd have hell to pay.

So he went about his merry way
and right on back to work.
They never heard from him again,
at least this town was safe from this jerk.

But where he went next was anyone's guess
and never was it known
whether he found more victims along the way
or if he left well enough alone.

The little girl wonders e'en to this day
(almost 40 years have gone by)
if she would even be alive right now
if it weren't for her hero's great eye!