Does a guilty teenager cry?

[StevoRocket]

Last Saturday evening I stood looking out of my kitchen window and was suddenly confronted with a teenage boy staring in at me. (He’s had to walk across the lawn to get there)
His face was no more than 4 feet from mine through the glass. He had on a pale blue t-shirt - had blondish hair just off the collar. Three seconds later with no change in his expression he turned walked past the front of the Porsche then between the two cars and down the road. I ran for my keys, jumped in the Audi and drove round the corner - he was gone – there’s an alley that leads to the next road.
When I get back I check the Porsche - no problem but lying on the ground in front of the trunk is a brand new shiny nail about one inch long.
Being a neighbourhood watch committee member I mention it to the police and ask that the female civilian area officer call me.
Then I order and install today an IP video camera.
Tonight the teenager turns up delivering the local free paper. (wearing his blue t-shirt under his top)
I opened the door, took the paper off him and said can I ask you something - were you looking through my window on Saturday? - I outlined what went on, (I'm looking for a reaction) he shouted for his dad to come over - I explained what happened - the kid says I am accusing him and bursts into tears.
I say - if he reacts like this what am I supposed to think?
The dad asks me to apologise for upsetting his son. (He’s very sensitive he says)
So I say - ok if he didn't do it, I apologise - satisfies the dad. (?)

So is a 15 year old kid so sensitive he cries - or is he guilty as charged?

[RickM]

So the kid had no explanation for being on your property?

[legion]

Guilty as hell.

And knows how exactly to game his parents.

Would he cry because he thinks you're mad at him? Probably not.

Would he cry because he thinks he's caught and fears punishment? Probably.

I don't quite understand the gist of your post. Was all that happened was that he dropped a nail in front of your car? (But not in front of a tire?)

[RickM]

Any "keyed" (scratched) cars reported in the area?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Trying to pop a lock or what?

Agreed - guilty as hell.

[StevoRocket]

No scratched cars - some slashed tyres a month ago - generally a very quiet town - but why walk across the lawn to get to the window? why not react with surprise when he saw me? Why drop a nail - its not mine and was not there when I was polishing the car 15 minutes before.
I think he was planning to scratch the front hood and wings but was stopped in his tracks because I was in the kitchen looking straight at him. Probably dropped the nail while trying to get it in his pocket.

[svandamme]

amateurs... when i was 12 i was able to do all sorts of mischief, and stone cold deny anything ... the only thing that would make me cry when interrogated would be onions...

the only reason to cry is when your caught redhanded, no way to deny it and the one that busts you is yo mamma, in that case it's basically plea barganing

[elwood-914]

15 years old and still cries on cue.......damn he's good.

[Seahawk]

Originally posted by svandamme
amateurs... when i was 12 i was able to do all sorts of mischief, and stone cold deny anything ... the only thing that would make me cry when interrogated would be onions...

the only reason to cry is when your caught redhanded, no way to deny it and the one that busts you is yo mamma, in that case it's basically plea barganing

Yup.

But this? Crying is the last defense of a guilty child, not a mid-teen.

Your protagonist has issues...too bad his Dad will be the last to know.

Guilty.

[artplumber]

Originally posted by elwood-914
15 years old and still cries on cue.......damn he's good.

Sounds like he's going to be an actor, like....(you may add whatever qualifiers you choose )

[StevoRocket]

The nail

[nostatic]

damn, that's one nice nail. I can see why he'd cry after losing that. You should send him a sympathy card or something...you nail theif.

[fastpat]

Guilty teenagers frequently cry, particularly when caught.

[ZOA NOM]

Did you show the nail to Dad? Bet he has a box full just like it in his garage.

[Mulhollanddose]

Guilty...Poor parenting. Interesting the very man who created the problem child asked you to apologize to him. The kid obviously is a master manipulator (learned behavior) and plays his father like a fiddle.

[Mulhollanddose]

Originally posted by ZOANAS
Did you show the nail to Dad? Bet he has a box full just like it in his garage.

Nonstarter. He could have very well found it anywhere. The accusation, if unsubstantiated, may backfire and make an enemy of the neighbor.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Mulhollanddose
Guilty...Poor parenting. Interesting the very man who created the problem child asked you to apologize to him. The kid obviously is a master manipulator (learned behavior) and plays his father like a fiddle.

question: do you have a kid?

[Mulhollanddose]

Originally posted by nostatic
question: do you have a kid?

No, but I defined juvenile deliquency. In fact I lowered the bar a couple notches.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Mulhollanddose
No, but I defined juvenile deliquency. In fact I lowered the bar a couple notches.

and was it 100% your father's fault?

[ronin]

Originally posted by nostatic
question: do you have a kid?

and this matters how?