When we came home today, our neighbors were standing around outside. We have been waiting and watching for a chance to talk with them. We were hoping that we could make a last ditch appeal with them do something. What, I don't know. Maybe kick him out. I hadn't thought that far ahead. We were just waiting to see them outside because we didn't want to knock on the door and risk having Pepe answer. And they haven't been outside much lately.

We walked up the hill and made a little small talk. Finally, I took one of my neighbors aside and told her that we were the ones who called the police (as if she didn't already know). I started to ease around to the problem, telling her we are now very concerned. She cut me off and said, "You don't have to worry."

There is a little bit of a language barrier, so I thought perhaps she wasn't understanding me. I tried again. Again, she cut me off, "You don't have to worry anymore. Pepe is gone."

Gone?

I really wanted to believe what I was hearing, but Pepe has been arrested twice, and come back twice, much like the proverbial cat. I asked if he was in jail. She responded, "No, Pepe is not in jail." But did not volunteer any additional information.

I pressed, "Where is he?"

"Pepe is gone. Like jail, but not jail. He cannot come back."

I realized that was all the information I was going to get, and I think I can live with that. Whatever they did, the family took care of the problem, and that's all I really need to know.

It didn't take long for our neighborhood to get back to normal. Aunts, uncles, sisters, cousins, nieces, the whole family, which have been absent, have come for a visit, and the group in the street is growing by the minute. The kids are outside laughing and playing and running through the field. Just like that, our little street has shrugged off the pall of Pepe, and life is back the way it is supposed to be. I expect the stereo will go on in the next few minutes.

Our fisherman neighbor, who has also been absent, came by with four gorgeous tuna fillets as a gift to thank us for our efforts to have Pepe jailed and as an apology for having to live through it all.

Once again, something that seemed totally rotten has turned into one of those learning experience things. Yes, it was awful, but it could have been worse.

What's amazing is the number of people that love us and are watching over us. We got emails and support from friends, people we know from the online world, and people we don't even know at all. Total strangers reached out a hand to us. It was really amazing and helped so much. (Yeah, I'm blubbering a little as I write this, maybe because I'm exhausted, but probably because you guys are so great.) Even when it's bad, life is good.

Boy howdy, am I tired. But I fear I may have a tad much caffeine in my veins to sleep right now. When I started having to stay awake so much, I stocked up on the Dr. Pepper. I completely bought out Soriana and Walmart. But tonight, I think I shall sleep long and deep, and, best of all, next to my husband.

The whole story:
Robbery Redux
The Saga Continues...
So Close
And Yet So Far
Ding Dong, the Meth Head's Gone