I can't believe I have a friend who would do this.

OK so Ashleigh and I have a routine. It has worked since the 1st week of football and has had no problems so far.

Every Tuesday, Eric has a football game. I am the team mom and I organize the pre-game meal for the boys. Nothing too complicated. The first couple of weeks we had sandwiches. We then had spaghetti one week, followed by pizza the next. This week we had nachos.

Now I know I really had no business up there this week since I had surgery on Thursday morning, but I couldn't help it. So I am up there more just hanging out and making sure it all goes ok. I talk to the coaches and then I gather up all of the extra food and dishes so I can return them to the correct mom that brought them up. I then leave with John and Brandy and go home.

Here is where Ash's routine come in to play. She gets home between 3:25 and 3:30 usually. If I am not home yet she is to take her books in the backyard and read for a few minutes unitl I get home. Like I said this has worked perfectly until yesterday.

I get home yesterday and didn't see her in the yard. I wasn't too worried thinking she went to the neighbor's for a minute. So I send Brandy over there to get her as I go to unlock the house. When I opened the storm door a note fluttered out. I sort of chuckled thinking that was just like Ash to leave a note saying she went next door. Only Brandy came back saying she wasn't there.

Hmmmm? So I read the note. Here is what it said:

"We took your daughter w/us to Outdoor America. We'll be back soon.
~ (Howie) Will & Kyla"

WTH??? Who is Will and Kyla? I could not wrap my mind around who these people were. I kept thinking of all of my friends who have taken my daughter places and I was still confused. Why would Angie go to a gun store? What? Wait! There was another name on there. Who was that? Howie? HOWIE??? WTH is he doing with my daughter? What is he thinking? He has 3 kids of his own.

So I wait until they get back. I chew him a new butt using a few choice words in front of my daughter. How dare he come into my yard and take my daughter somewhere without my permission? I cannot believe he would do this to me!!
He told me it wasn't his idea and that he was against it. HELLO?! Are you not the one driving the vehicle? Are you not an adult capable of making a decision on your own? Hell you were driving the getaway vehicle! What if they went and knocked off the 7-eleven? You were driving the vehicle and still would be found guilty as an accomplice!!!

I then turned on poor Ash. I told her NEVER to get into a car again with some one with out my permission!!! I informed her that many kidnappings are by some one the child knows and she is not to go with any one that is not a trusted adult. Her response was "well I was with Howie". Is he a responsible adult? Not anymore in my opinion!!! Just because I have known him 15+ years, does not mean he is 100% trustworthy with my most prized possessions.

So come to find out today, they were sitting in my driveway when she got off the bus and chose to not wait for me. I think I will place a call tomorrow to the transportation department and ask a few questions.

I also think it is time to have a family meeting. I know Eric thinks he is big enough to take care of himself, but still......
I have always talked to them about stranger danger, but would have never considered a friend as a threat.