Michael and the Baby Jesus

Mike Losing His Grip....

Michael never came in to pay for his 10" blade knife, and I was relieved (see "It seems inevitable that I will be stabbed by a mental patient"). He continued to come into the shop, and we watched his mental condition deteriorate. The last time I saw him, he was trudging up the hill in front of the store. He had the look of a man on a mission, eyes straight ahead, fists clenched at his side. When he saw me sitting on the bench, smoking, he slid his eyes sideways.....


"YOU GOT SOME COFFEE IN THERE, REBEL?"....


"Yeah Michael, we always have coffee."....


"I'M GONNA GET ME SOME."....


He turned on his heel and ran toward our door. Heemerged 10 seconds later with a styrofoam cup, and headed back up the hill. Ashe passed, I realized that the entire back of his shirt had been ripped openand his back was scratched and bleeding.....


A Merry Christmas To All....


According to police reports, sometime on theafternoon of Christmas day, the voices in Michael's head convinced him that hisneighbor was holding his two sisters hostage. Hell-bent on rescuing them, hebarged into the neighbor's house with a rifle. The neighbor was in her backyardat the time, but her son was in the house. It has not been released whattranspired, but Michael eventually went home (without injuring anyone) and theneighbor called the police.....


When the police arrived, they announced theirpresence. Michael came to the door and pointed his rifle at them. One of thepolice retrieved his patrol rifle and fired four shots at Michael. Michael wentinside and closed the door, where reports say he stayed for approximately eightminutes before he surrendered. He was taken into custody and taken to the localhospital for surgery. He stayed inintensive care for several days.....


The officer in question (his name has not beenreleased) has been put on leave of absence, and the Texas Rangers areinvestigating. ....


I hope Michael gets the help he needs. I'd hate to have to shoot him.....