How parents always had our backs- now it's our turn

Ok- I am going to say his whole name- Don Lucas- he is now a rather well-known and popular jewelry designer (Southwest). But at the time I dated him, he was a rather clunky, loud, entertaining boyfriend. My parents ADORED him. This story is more about my mom's honesty, love, and confidence in me than about him. He and his wife are still great friends of mine- they have a million kids (ok- only 5 or 6?) and now grandkids.

I have a hundred "Don Lucas" stories. But this is my favorite. I was babysitting (I did that a lot) for some people 2 doors down with 3 really great kids. I think I was 15. Don went out with his buddies so when he turned up at the house (kids were asleep, all was peaceful) drunk, I should not have been surprised. So I put on my "let's fix this" determination that later got me through college, careers, etc. I instructed him to the back of the house and set a kettle of water to boil. This was combined with instant coffee and I walked him in circles in that backyard, constantly aware that I was leaving the children "alone" (ok- phone was right there- I was no more than 5 feet away). Finally, I thought he was 'good' and he went to the front to catch his buddies as they drove by.

Parents of the kids got home- they were somewhat 'snooty'- immediately asked if I knew the kid "passed out on the lawn". I peered out and realized it was Don. I admitted it was my boyfriend. The mom (looked a lot like Jackie Kennedy with a snarl) said smugly"I am not going to tell your parents, but I think you should."

I slept little that night- the next morning, I sat with my mom and told her the whole story- Don had gotten drunk with his friends, showed up at the door of our neighbors and allowed me to walk him in circles in the backyard, etc. She looked at me very solemnly.

"What do you think I should do?" I asked, weighing the options of a break-up or big scene. She paused and said "I think you should not babysit for those people anymore."

And that is my best story for taking care of our elders- are we watching their backs? Are we tending our gut feelings about who is "on their side"? Are we ignoring what "looks right" and choosing what "is right"?

It is funny to think about that story. My parents put Don on "time-out" and we didn't date the rest of the summer as I recall. But they instinctively knew he was "good people" and they had confidence in me. It all circled back around- I crack up now thinking of my mom's response, but she was right in the "side" she was taking. I pray I took her and my Pop's side in the same way- in the right way.