A Hello Kitty bag for adults

Today I decided to skip the morning work and go for my usual Sunday morning walk with my friend, Karen. She is the one who is late. She was late.

We walked and talked and caught up on stuff and stopped at the coney island as usual to eat. I walked 6 miles, she walked 5, since she was there later than I was. I left first, because she stayed to shop and I wanted to get some things done. Besides, I prefer not to tempt myself with anything any more. My money goes into paint, a new condo, and Molly's shots.

As I was driving to the hardware to get some more paint roller covers, my cell phone rang. It was Karen. She wanted my opinion. She said there was a cute little girl, who looked about 16, with an older guy about 40, rather scuzzy looking, who were at the door at the mall. Anyway, the girl had luggage with her. The guy walked up and kissed her on the mouth, and then they were hugging.

My opinion was one word - Internet.

Karn agreed. She didn't know what to do. We trouble shot for a few minutes. I suggested she try and use her cell phone to get a picture of the happy couple. She seemed iffy on it, but hey, it's a public place and she could pretend to act like she never takes 1000 pictures per trip from a very expensive camera.

My next suggestion was to call security, then I suggested the police. I also suggested she keep an eye on them and see if they get in a car, and get the license plate number. She said she would try, and then call me back.

She called back, and they had disappeared. I suggested that they might have been waiting on a bus, as that door is near a bus stop for the mall. I suggested that there aren't a lot of buses coming around 12:30 to the mall on a Sunday afternoon, and if there is a problem, the bus could be found. I suggested she call the police at that point.

We agreed that if the girl is actually 18, nothing could be done.

She asked me for the number for the police, since that used to be one of my field areas for child abuse. I said, "911." Hey, my memory isn't that good!

She said she would call me back again.

She called after I returned from picking up my paint and home project supplies. She had called the police, who were able to intercept the couple and then considerately called her back. The girl claimed to be 19. My friend had said the girl had a Hello Kitty bag as part of her luggage.

At least my friend can sleep well tonight, knowing she did all she could. The police have seen the girl, have seen the guy, I assume they asked for ID and have a report down. At least Karen didn't have to do the paperwork.

We really, really hope the police called the girl's family to verify that she is 19 and not running around with her older sister's ID. Karen has a son who is 16, and she is much better than I am at guessing ages.

How many 19-year-old adults need to meet their much older boyfriends at the mall with their Hello Kitty luggage if nothing is wrong?