My sister, mom and I lived down the street from Peter during our childhood. Not only did we see our Grandparents every day, we saw Peter and other cousins too.
We would go to Pete's after school, and when it was almost time for my mom to get home from work, my sister and I would walk down the street, use our key to get into the apt, and call my grandmother to let her know we made it home ok.
At this time, I was 13 yo and my sister was 10 yo. We walked into the building and saw that this crazy guy from the building was coming in behind us. He always talked to himself (and answered) and we were afraid of him. So, we did what stupid kids do - we taunted him, we gave him the middle finger, we called him killer - and we ran as fast as we could. I looked back behind me and realized he was chasing us up the stairs to our apt with a large knife in his hand. I opened the door as fast as I could, and he jumped on the door trying to bust it open before while I tried to close it. All the while he was yelling that he was going to get us and cut us up and eat us.
We were screaming. My sister was crying and I yelled at her to call Nana's house. My sister was screaming on the phone to my Grandmother -- but my Grandfather wasn't home from work yet. So, Nana called Peter who was 15 or 16 at the time.
It must have been seconds, because Peter arrived in a flash at the building with a hatchet. He ran after the crazy guy and he shut the door on Peter. My mom arrived and saw us crying and Peter chopping the guy's door down and she ran over to help him. Suddenly, the nut opened his door and hot boiling soup was thrown in my mother's face. She fell down on the floor. That was it -- Peter the Protector emerged -- and Peter actually kicked the door open. The only thing we heard were BOOM, BANG, SMASH and Peter threw the guy out the apt, onto the floor and held him down until the cops came.
My sister and I always thought we were going to die that day. If it wasn't for Peter scaring the guy and making him run away from our apt, I am not sure I'd be typing this today.
But, Peter has always been a protector for us. He has always been there for us ... introducing us to things, scaring the life out of us during scary movie night ... or in this case, chasing our monsters away.
He was such a good man.x
ReplyDeleteWow....Thank god that peter was there to help you! Thats an interesting story and a scary one at that. Hopefully your ma was ok after that crazy s.o.b threw the soup at her. I could not imagine... omg i would have poop myself! Peter is such a wonderful person for protecting and saving you. He must have the biggest,loving heart in the world. Thank you for sharing!.....Windy
ReplyDeleteI always suspected I gave 'Saint Peter' in my story that disguise for a reason...;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a story! And what a guy...
Where was he when I was a kid, would've been awesome.
ReplyDeleteIt would have taken a lot to maintain his composure and not seriously hurt that whackjob. I'll be honest and admit that I wouldn't have been as diplomatic if I were in that scenario.
ReplyDeleteSo, what happened to your Mom? Any scars from the soup? Did the crazy guy get arrested?
ReplyDeleteMy mom ended up being ok, a little facial burning, and the guy was arrested, charged with harassment, and let go. He lived in the same building with us till we moved out. Everyone once in a while we see him walking around the neighborhood, but I NEVER give him the finger anymore.
ReplyDeletePeter was a very special human being! Glad he was there for you, you had to be super scared. Glad your Mom was okay, that had to hurt. I have a big brother who always came to my rescue. Those guys who are our protectors are something special.
ReplyDeletewhat a story ! Glad Peter was there to protect you and that your mom didn't suffer serious injuries.
ReplyDeleteWhat a golden heart !
sounds like he really was a larger than life super-hero
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness what an ordeal! Thank God and Peter you managed to escape from this relatively unharmed (except for your mother). Even at such a young age, Peter was so loving and protective and brave, he was truly a wonderful person and so totally devoted to his family. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, that's quite the story.
ReplyDeleteTO THE RATAJCZYK FAMILY...
ReplyDeleteI MUST SAY THAT EVEN THO PETER WAS BORN INTO THIS FAMILY AND TRULY HAD NO SAY SO ABOUT IT, AS NONE OF US DO AT WHO BECOMES OUR FAMILY, YOUR STORIES AND PRECIOUS MEMORIES MEAN THE WORLD TO ME. WHAT A FABULOUS HUMAN BEING PETE IS TO HAVE HAD AS A PROTECTOR IN YOUR LIVES. HE COULD SCARE YOU BUT NOBODY ELSE BEST LAY A HAND TO HARM A SINGLE ONE OF YOU OR THEY WILL PAY THE PRICE THRU PETE. WHAT A FABULOUS STORY!!
I SO LOOK FORWARD TO THESE BLOGS!! EVERY ONE OF THEM TOUCHES MY HEART YET BREAKS IT ALSO KNOWING JUST HOW MUCH HE IS MISSED BY YOU ALL.
AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU SOOOOO VERY MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR LOVE FOR HIM AND THE MEMORIES.
GOD BLESS.
Wow! That is truly touching! I am surprised they couldn't charge him with assault and keep him longer with him having thrown soup on your Mother, he should have gotten assault. Glad she was ok. I don't know if I could have continued to live in that building after something like that, but then we do what we have to do. Glad Peter was able to save you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a man! Even at the tender age of 16. This is a great story. I wonder if this is why Peter wanted to be a police officer. To protect and serve. Two things he did very well. Im so glad your mom was ok and I too am mystified as to why that man was released after assaulting a family with a deadly weapon. Thank God for Peter and his axe. I was wondering if it was the inspiration for Hey Pete.
ReplyDeleteThere is no greater way to show your love for others than putting yourself in harms way to protect them. Peter was what every man should be... a beautiful mix of power, strength, love and compassion....even at 16 years old. He is no longer with us physically but we all still feel his soul and spirit with us. I really do believe he watches over us.
ReplyDeleteGreat story, I guess Pete would have made a good cop after all :)
ReplyDelete