Live and learn. Or not.

My mom told me the other day that my grammar school crush had been arrested last  week.  I don't remember what brought up his name, but it came up and she mentioned it.  Naturally I googled the article, which produced several articles spanning every periodical from the Staten Island Advance, to the Ny Times, to the Boston Globe.  This was real news.  He and his dad, both members of the FDNY, a NYPD officer, and several other islanders were arrested in a an illegal gambling ring bust.  They "allegedly" have been running illegal card games at at least 3 locations on the island and earning at least $2000/night.  I don't know if that means 2Grand per night per location, or total... either way, not small potatoes.
I am losing faith entirely in men.  Or, maybe I should be losing faith in myself and my judgement of people.  I'm not going to be too hard on myself about the 4th grade crush, but.... my adult life didn't show much improvement.   I used to pride myself on my cynicism.  I never trusted anyone until they proved themselves to me over time.  I don't make friends easily as a result of this way of thinking.  My twin sister on the other hand is the opposite- she will hang out with anyone that's friendly to her until they mess up.  I used to get on her case about that, telling her she is too trusting and that she should keep her guard up a little more.  Ironically, I used to tell John the same thing.  I was constantly trying to drill into his head that all those people hanging on his every word at our bar were NOT his friends-- they were just people looking for a free night out on the owner's dime.
Well look who's the naive one.  He knew very well that these guys were not his friends and that they were up to no good.  I guess he didn't really have a choice other than to comp their food and drinks and welcome them with a smile.  They had their reason to expect the royal treatment,  and what's worse,  they had balls that it takes to take a blow torch to a man's arm while their buddies blow lines of coke in the town car they dragged my ex husband into. 
So there. I admit it.  I, apparently don't know everything.  I'm not quite as savvy as I thought.
On the positive side, if there is one--  I was never afraid to stand up for me or a friend in the face of fear or drunken stupid disrespect at our bar.  And now, after all that I've seen and learned the past few years, I am even less afraid.  I am more cautious, and more aware, but less afraid