Troubling.

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My neighbor, the one I speak with several times a day, go target practicing with, and generally have become acquainted has gotten into some troubles. Last year, he was charged with and found guilty of drinking and driving, which adds to his current troubles if it is not directly involved. He felt harassed by the noise coming from his neighbors and had raised a fit about it. Nothing was done and, over time, he became angry. His windshield has been cracked and grease was applied to his door handle. He claimed it was the noisome neighbors, and he did file a complaint if the complaint was simply dismissed. He overheard part of the conversation, between the police and neighbors, though his hearing is not the best and I suspect he may have misheard. In the end, however, he did physically grab and harass one of them and threw eggs at the windshield of another of the group's windshield. Police reports were filed and things started to go downhill from there.

And, yes, I strongly urged him to take no active action, to touch none of them, and to do nothing of that sort. No, he was not drinking when he did these things. I even spoke to those neighbors. I let them know both that I was not in support of any such actions (I did not want to be seen as a protector, instigator, or such) and that I was not involved with this. Since we are seen together, and because of my size, I did not want to be seen as a threat. And, honestly, I am glad the young man did not haul off and deck my neighbor. He might have been hurt, if he does not realize that so much.

So, now he has a court date for simple assault and something akin to petty mischief or vandalism. Which was troubling enough, but the hen has come to roost more fully and dreadfully at this point. The young man involved indicated that he was going to drop the charges, though that either was not done or it was not accepted. For whatever reason, the police informed the apartment manager about the incidences and so my neighbor has been given a 3 day notice, as of today, to vacate the premises. If he does not, a triple charge for utilities and rent may be charged, as well as legal fees and other costs would be his to pay as well.

Fine, for most, and legal to be sure. However, he has been living here for 8 years, lives on a very small amount of disability, is disabled physically because of a necessary amputation of half of his right foot due to a severe iron deficiency and frequent blood loss. Though those are somewhat treatable, the affects of the medicine are so severe that he cannot take them regularly. He has lost significant weight and muscle mass due to his straights. So, a three day vacation notice to a man without a drivers license, the means to simply pay for another place, without any surety of finding housing, who is both partially crippled and infirm is both cruel and unjust, but it is legal.

When he knocked on my door and gave me the news, we began to discuss things. I suggested, immediately, that he speak with the apartment manager and beg more time given his condition. He knows of places which might be more suitable to his finances and needs but they were closed by then, I think he had tried to call. I let him know I would help him locate boxes, drive him around if he needed to meet with people, and help him move out other than packing. I asked if his sister could help with that, and he thinks that is possible. He is rather doubtful about his sister, however, offering him a place to stay.

I know, he did wrong. I know, it is all legal and technically proper. But that does not make it right. I have no power and no real means of assisting, other than what I am offering. It is frustrating to be sure. If it works out, it will work out really well. For him to be in a quieter place would be a good thing. To be closer into town, where he can ride his bicycle without so much of a hill to climb, too, would be good. But if no housing is available, if the time limit is not extended, or if a number of other things go wrong, the outcome could be quite harsh. At his age and in his condition, the stress could actually kill him I think.

What to do? Pray, I suppose. So, if you have a thought to such things, there is one out there who could use prayer. He lives right next door, for now.