comments

1. Cindy Scroggins on September 25th, 2010 at 4:08 pm

   This is an astonishing story, Phil. I can’t imagine your parents letting you go!

2. Deron Bauman on September 25th, 2010 at 4:11 pm

   damn, Phil. I’m glad you’re okay.

   and it is wonderful to see and hear you.

3. Sheila Ryan on September 25th, 2010 at 4:23 pm

   Heart-stopping-and-re-starting. Powerful tale and powerful teller.

4. Rick Neece on September 25th, 2010 at 4:39 pm

   Thank you, Phil.

5. Kelsey Parker on September 25th, 2010 at 4:42 pm

   I’ll echo Cindy, Deron, Sheila, and Rick when I say, Wow, Phil. Good story, great telling, and it’s a relief to know you came out of it okay.

6. Daryl Scroggins on September 25th, 2010 at 5:13 pm

   Splendid, Phil. This story is amazing–by way of your telling of it and the thing itself: you might have called it “Guinea Pig” since people who should have been looking after you apparently decided to just “see what happened.” Damn. I wish I could go back in time to have a chat with you as you were about to board the bus for your meeting.

7. Phil Bebbington on September 25th, 2010 at 5:21 pm

   Thank you all for listening, I appreciate it. It was funny telling it as I am now worried about the accuracy of it. 40 years of doubt! I don’t know if I have left it too late or if indeed I know enough detail, but, I have tasked Jan with trying to track down the papers for the original offence. If the guy is dead they may have been destroyed, but, if they are still there there may be a statement I made – I assume I would have made one as the guy was convicted of something as I remember it in the local newspaper.

   If I locate anything I will post a more precise version. If I don’t then this will have to be the truth as I recall it.

8. Phil Bebbington on September 25th, 2010 at 5:23 pm

   Daryl, yes, it is only in recent months that I have pondered being sent back into the lion’s den – this is partly why I am questioning the detail – did I return or have I inserted that over time. It seems a bad thing to do and not normal police practice, but, it was 40 years ago so who knows. Watch this space!

9. walt on September 26th, 2010 at 8:57 am

   If the paper trail is still there, it’ll be interesting to see how much it correlates with your memory. There’s a couple non-traumatic, but vivid memories of my childhood that don’t synch with what my sister or parents remember of it.

   Compelling story, Phil. And you sound exactly like I had imagined you had.

10. Carole Corlew on September 28th, 2010 at 9:28 am

    I’m astounded in so many ways. That no one was paying attention, but those were the times and that I can understand. And then there is the difference between small towns and larger ones. It is easier to get “lost” in a big place. If I had missed school, someone would have called home. And in the country, you couldn’t just get on a bus and go across town.

    I’m just amazed your parents did not talk to you. Not even, “Phil, what’s this about you skipping school. And getting on a bus to do the bidding of a stranger. Not a good idea. Next time, let’s discuss.”

    I’m interested in knowing whether your friend’s parents talked to him about it????

    My son has a very hip young gym teacher who insists to the kids that he is someone they can TALK to about anything. I hope they do. You certainly needed someone like that.

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