“Well, he said that we looked like juveniles, and he questioned us about being runaways,” explained the young woman, who told me her name is Ariel. “The thing is, I’m 22, and he” – Ariel gestured at the young man, whose name is Lee – “is nearly 21. We explained this to him, and told him we live right here in Payette.”

“The officer said it was unusual for a couple of young people to be walking outdoors on a cold morning like this,” Lee recalled, incredulous sarcasm coloring his words. “It’s not unusual for us to be walking; we walk around town all the time.”