The VERY Angry Dad at the Lake

Obligatory:

On mobile. Not AI. UK educated. Now in US. Yes it is real but I wish it were NOT. Being vague for privacy but will answer any questions for clarification if needed.

I don’t even know what trigger warnings to use here but there clearly should be some. Child abuse/neglect. Postpartum person in distress, for starters.

We live in a place that does not normally get hot. Our infrastructure is not equipped for it, just to set the scene. Most places near us only have a wood stove for climate control or a window AC at best.

Yesterday was hot. The lake was expectedly busy. A cool wind usually kicks up at about noon but for some reason did not so by 2, there was a bit of a line at the dock for everyone trying to leave at the same time.

I’ll spare you all the boat etiquette and rules of the water but suffice to say as it was my turn, someone cut in front of my spouse in our truck and trailer (by acting like they were just trying to squeeze by to turn, not cut the entire queue) backed their trailer down the ramp as I was already there, waiting to drive my boat up. You know. To where my trailer should have been.

My spouse has a shout and dude pretends not to hear him. Our guy then proceeds to fuck off down the beach for 20 minutes and return in his boat.

Only I’m already tied up.

I wasn’t a total jerk. I did back up to make it possible but not easy.

And then I start recording.

As he comes around, he says, “If I hit your boat, it will be your fault because you didn’t move.”

I called him a few choice names and pointed out that he didn’t just cut me, he cut all the people waiting behind me. And that I have great insurance and an even better lawyer. Hit my boat, lol. Now EVERYONE is annoyed at this man and I’m not backing down. A few other people yell. He yells back a bit, getting more enraged.

This walking, talking piece of shit opens his mouth and yells, “WHAT DID YOU EXPECT ME TO DO? I HAVE A TEN DAY OLD BABY AND SICK KID, HERE.”

Oh. It looked like he was alone because his naked toddler was unconscious on the deck under the only scrap shade available (open top small craft) and a VERY sick looking woman was slouched down beside him, holding a bundle of blankets.

Everyone in earshot was immediately like WTF. Obviously helped get them loaded as quickly as possible. Because now it’s a medical situation and we aren’t monsters.

But never fucking mind the absolute idiocy of taking a toddler and newborn in those conditions without cover..but there is no way that poor, poor woman wanted to be out there. The heat and relentless sun was bad but every speed boat and wave runner in the area was there doing their thing, too. Which means some pretty serious wake for a small craft. We got knocked around pretty decently a few times and we are both very experienced on a 17ft.

I can’t imagine what her life is like when she goes home.

I can’t imagine living with a person who endangered his family and then acted entitled and defensive instead of just asking for help.