Where Mercy Is Shown, Mercy Is Given - Duane Dog Chapman [115]
I had taken my daughter Bonnie Jo and Gary Boy Christmas shopping a few years ago, when I noticed a tweaker walk by us at the local mall. I could tell he was a criminal bastard from the moment I saw him. He had a backpack slung over his shoulder and was out boosting stuff from all the stores. As soon as he spotted me, he began to freak out. He was twitching, shaking, and clearly avoiding eye contact with me.
Gary Boy noticed almost as quickly as I did. He turned to me and said, “Dad, did you see that guy? He’s a bad guy! He’s stealing things.”
I had to laugh, because he was right. For fun I said, “Let’s tail him, Gary.”
The three of us slowly turned around to follow him. When he saw us, he took off running. As soon as Gary saw him bolt, he started chasing after him. I followed after Gary, who was outpacing me by two strides. Bonnie Jo was bringing up the rear. I worried about losing her behind us so I yelled the same commands out to Gary as I do when I’m out on a real hunt.
“Stand down. Stop, Gary. Freeze!” Gary spent the next twenty minutes begging me to let him go after the guy, who was now long gone.
“What are you going to do if you catch him, son?” I asked.
“Give me your cuffs, Dad. I’ll grab him and cuff him.”
I was humored by the exchange yet proud too. I said, “Gary, he’s twice as big as you are. He’ll clobber you if you try to catch him.”
“No, he won’t, Dad. I’ll use my martial arts on him that Master Lee taught me.” Gary Boy had been taking self-defense classes for some time. Even though he was only seven years old, he was confident in his ability to protect himself.
Gary Boy’s interest in bounty hunting only seems to grow stronger as time goes on. He loves to be on the lookout wherever we go. Seven months after the incident at the mall, our family was in Colorado celebrating the Fourth of July at a large event in Denver. I gave Gary a radio just in case he got lost. A short time later, I heard him call me over the speaker.
“Dad, come in, Dad. This is Gary.”
“Go ahead, son. Where are you at?” I asked.
“I’m following a criminal. The police are coming with me too.” Gary had found a police officer and told him he had a suspect in his sight and needed backup! I’m very proud that Gary’s got the hunter in him. He’s a natural and a chip off the old block.
And if Gary Boy decides not to pursue bounty hunting, I believe he’ll grow up to become a professional baseball player like Beth’s dad. He’s got an extraordinary natural talent for the game. He surely doesn’t get that from his old man!
My daughter Cecily celebrated her sweet sixteen in 2009. That’s a real milestone in our home because that’s the age our children are allowed to sit with the older kids, Beth, and me around the patio table at night when we hold Chapman Family Powwows. That’s where we discuss everything happening in our lives as a family. On the night of her sixteenth birthday, I invited Cecily to join in. Since that night, I feel our relationship has grown closer. I am extremely proud of Cecily. She is the first in our family who will attend college. As a seventh-grade dropout, that makes me very happy. Education was never a priority to me when I was younger, so I’ve gone out of my way to see to it that my younger children don’t follow in my footsteps. Cecily recently witnessed the birth of Baby Lyssa’s daughter. She was in the room with her sister when the baby was born. A couple of days later, I asked Cecily what she thought about witnessing the miracle of life coming into this world. Her response was unforgettable.
“I’ve taken all of the boys’ names and numbers out of my cell phone for now!”
I had to laugh. “You didn’t like the experience?” I asked.
“Not for at least another ten years!”
Right answer, sweetheart!