An Unexpected Visit to the Optometrist with My Son… and a Gunman

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So there I was, sitting in the optometrist’s office with my son, Jamie, feeling a bit out of place. I had arrived three hours early, blissfully unaware that my appointment had been rescheduled. As I glanced outside, I noticed an alarming number of flashing lights. A police officer came in and informed us that we couldn’t leave because of an “ongoing situation.” The receptionist nonchalantly shrugged, suggesting that the eye doctor would be more than happy to see us now that the schedule was cleared. Lucky us, right?

While we waited, Jamie, who’s nine, was curious about the word “ne-go-tee-ah-tor” he spotted on a police vest outside. The “I” was hidden under a ponytail, and I found myself wondering whether we should attempt a quick exit. Outside, the streets were swarming with cruisers and officers, making it clear we were stuck here for a while.

Sitting in the waiting area, Jamie was the only kid among a few elderly women who were too engrossed in their conversation about another church burning in South Carolina to notice the chaos unfolding outside. I positioned myself away from the TV, only to see an officer pulling a high-powered rifle from a trunk. My heart raced as I watched more cops in tactical gear exit a van.

To distract Jamie, I encouraged him to look at the Far Side comic collection he had brought along. He laughed at a comic about sheep with steel wool, which made me chuckle too, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. We moved farther from the windows, where I spotted two men stepping outside to take pictures. The cops quickly ushered them back inside, and they returned laughing, as if it were all a joke. I tried to smile back, but my heart wasn’t in it.

In the eyewear display area, I tried on various glasses, asking Jamie for his opinion. He thought one pair looked fabulous, which turned out to be my own. Then I noticed an officer casually walking past the window, and it gave me a fleeting sense of calm. But that didn’t last long; soon after, I watched two armored cops sprint by, weapons drawn.

Jamie asked what was going on, and I explained that it was likely a man threatening to harm himself and that the police were trying to handle the situation. I mentioned mental health issues and gun violence in the U.S., feeling the weight of those words as I spoke.

I texted my partner, Mark, about the SWAT presence, but he didn’t answer right away. When he finally picked up, I assured him we were okay—at least I hoped I was telling the truth. I’d known my optometrist, Dr. Peterson, for 16 years, and when he arrived, he greeted us warmly and made small talk with Jamie. I felt a sense of familiarity amidst the chaos.

During the examination, I mentioned my blurry vision and dry eyes. Dr. Peterson gave his advice on eye drops and made adjustments to my prescription while I scanned the room for anything that could help us escape. My son was fidgeting, and I wondered how much he understood about the situation outside.

After our appointment, I grabbed my prescription, hoping to get cheap contacts at Costco soon. The receptionist seemed on edge, her hands trembling as she processed my paperwork. To lighten the mood, I filled the silence with chatter about mundane topics like dilated eyes and colonoscopies, trying to ease her nerves.

Suddenly, the front door swung open, startling us. An officer sheepishly asked to use the restroom, and I cracked a joke to relieve the tension. But my mind was racing with sarcastic thoughts about how I wouldn’t want someone with poor vision to defend us. I realized I needed to stay focused and not let panic take over.

Finally, I approached an officer, pleading to leave quickly with Jamie, pointing out he was the only child in the office. He instructed us on how to navigate between police vehicles, and soon enough, we were running for the car. My heart pounded, but I was relieved to see Mark waiting for us.

As we drove away, I felt a strange sense of normalcy wash over me, despite the chaos behind us. I dropped Mark off a few streets away and headed home, reflecting on our close call. The sights of historical landmarks passed by, but my mind was elsewhere, worrying about my son’s silence in the backseat.

When we finally parked, we were greeted by the vibrant blooms in the garden, but I couldn’t shake the weight of the day. Jamie simply said, “Well, that was another summer adventure,” and I fought back tears. I think about how he feels safer at school, but I know better. I’m always aware of the risks out there, the reality of guns and violence.

As we settled back at home, I wondered why this was our reality. When Jamie asked if there was a hostage, I realized there might be, and it made my heart ache just a little bit more.

In Summary

An ordinary trip to the optometrist turned into a day filled with unexpected tension due to an ongoing police situation. Through it all, a mother navigated her worries for her son while trying to keep things light and normal in a world that often isn’t. The experience serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and the importance of staying aware and prepared.