She Almost Died

Eduard (not his real name) is a son of the mister's colleague who also happened to be in the London area. He's in the military. In December, he sent a private message to the young lady on Facebook and was really nice to offer to take her around for the first time in the city. The mister and I were really touched by his gesture.

I specifically asked the young lady to keep in touch with Eduard. They met when they were toddlers but didn't hang out as tweens until last Sunday, exactly a week after the young lady arrived in London. He wanted to take her to Scotland, but she refused. I advised her to hang out and have lunch or coffee first because a long trip is awkward when this would have been the first time they've seen each other since maybe middle school.

On Sunday afternoon, the young lady sent me a private message. It was an urgent message!

The young lady: I am with Eduard today. He's friendly and kind, but strange.

Me: Why strange?

TYL: He wants to hold hands???

Me: ((( WHAT? )))

TYL: It was fine when he paid for lunch because I thought that was just friendly. But it weirded me out that he wanted to hold my hand. I want to vomit. He wasn't wearing a proper jacket. So, I offered my scarf. He said it's okay and asked if we could hold hands to stay warm. The heck????

Me: Maybe it was intentional that he'd wear a light jacket for that reason—to hold your hand? 

TYL: Ew.

Me: But he has a car?? Why can't he keep a jacket in his car?? It's not like he has to carry it around on the subway or bus??

TYL: I hate boys.

Me: There are weird boys, but I think Eduard is weirder! He's in a league of his own.

The young lady said he was fine at first, but it just became weirder and weirder. I told the mister about her ordeal, and he kept asking me if she was in her dorm already. Then...

TYL: Oh no, Ma! His car broke down!

Me: What happened?

TYL: There is something wrong with the clutch. There is someone helping us.

Me: How far are you from your dorm?

TYL: About 5 minutes or a little more. ...WHAT! He just called this a date?! I thought we were just catching up?

Me: What? WTH, Yna!"

TYL: Mama, he said, 'I can't believe the car broke down. Sorry for a crappy first date.' I DID NOT KNOW THIS IS A DATE! Tell Papa, Ma. I felt tricked.

I had to get something in the kitchen, so I asked the boy to answer for me.

He said, "Ew! What the junk! You better bail!"

TYL: 'DOY, DON'T BE A GROSS BOY. I'm bailing ASAP... I want to walk home, but it's a 40-minute walk.

The boy: You better sprint then!

TYL:  The tow truck is coming in 5 minutes.  Please pray for me. I NEED IT!

I was done with what I had to do in the kitchen, and...

"MAAAAA, HELP ME!"

The mister kept telling me to tell the young lady to ride a bus or the train instead. ASAP! We didn't want her in the situation for even a few seconds longer anymore.  

Then, she said that the tow truck had already come.  I kept asking her if she was home, but no answer. In less than an hour, she said, "YES, I'M HOME."

((( Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! )))

In the evening, the young lady called us, and she said...

"I ALMOST DIED TODAY.

...of MORTIFICATION."