Thursday, July 17, 2008

It's Not Exciting When It's You-Crazy Stalker Guy Update

I just went home on break and pulled into the driveway just as Hannah and Sam were pelting down the sidewalk; out of breath and flushed from heat and exertion, they both started telling me that yes, they think they saw Crazy Stalker Guy. We have a canal two blocks from our house to the west, and the kids were up there swimming; a white Ford F-150 was driving along the canal and slowed way down to look at them, then when Hannah pulled out her cell-phone, he took off north, gravel flying everywhere. When asked, she said, "I can't swear it was the same guy, because it was dark when I saw him the first time, but he has the same hair and goatee, and he made me feel scared when he slowed down to look at us..." Seems reasonable to me, under the circumstances.


I came right back to work (I live just two blocks from where I work) and reported it, and within seconds, four police cars tore out of the parking lot. I work right across the street from the Cop Shop, and I would normally be all nosy and shit, wishing I had a scanner so I could know what is going on and who they are after. Yes, guys, I am a rubbernecker, too, slowing down at the site of accidents (and I don't want to hear the lecture. Yes, I know it's wrong, yes, I know I am a sick person, thanks.). Somehow, though, it is a lot different when you look outside and know they are responding to a call you have made. It isn't exciting at all; instead, I feel sick. And grateful that they DO have such a quick response time, grateful that they are taking seriously this event which has shaped so much of our lives these last two weeks or so. In the past, two weeks ago, I would have laughed and made not-so-subtle fun of the requisite Pudgy Cop as he ran out to the car, commenting about whether or not he would make it without having a heart attack along the way, but today I thought, "Damn, for a fat guy he sure can MOVE!" and was so goddamned GLAD.

They didn't catch him. Detective M. called a few minutes later to let me know that they didn't see him anywhere, which I didn't really expect anyway. Probably ten minutes passed between the kids seeing him and me calling it in. Ten minutes doesn't seem like a long time, but it is long enough if you are running from someone. And we live in a rural, mostly agricultural and manufacturing; do you know how many new white Ford F-150's there are around here?

If this IS, in fact, him (which, like I said, seems a reasonable assumption given his behavior), he is clearly getting MORE brave, not less so. It is full daylight, the kids go swimming there all of the time and there are usually a dozen or more kids around at the same time. Did he just plan on scaring them? I don't' know-but now I know we are going to be on High Alert again for a few days, just when things were seeming to calm down some.

I have to go to an AA meeting tonight. HAVE to. It has been two weeks without any meeting, which is really difficult for me even when things are running smoothly. So the kids are all being carted over to Jacquie's, even the teenagers (Eli is pissed), because it seems CSG might be escalating and I am not taking any chances. At the same time, I can't stay home another night; these are the kinds of times when I need my own support network, because I can't keep giving the kids what they need if I am not getting what I need, either.

Then another long night at home....send up good thoughts, please. I am scared.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

When you get back from you trip you should get a dog. A big one. Even if the dog didn't bite the guy, at least the warning barks would alert you before something happens. I'm sure this is all stuff that you have considered, but I'm just worried about you. Give us a write tomorrow and let us know how you are.

Mama Smurf said...

I'm thinking y'all should institute a "no-one is to be left alone" rule. Cause that guy is just freaky and as soon as you let your guard down...

dude...that's just not cool....

Anonymous said...

Will be thinking of you all tonight -- so sorry he's back and you're still dealing with this.

Prayers!

Anonymous said...

Jesus, Kori! I'm so freaking scared for you. I hope the AA meeting goes well and you get what you need to help you cope better with all this.

April said...

Kori, I'm so sorry! I hope he gets brave enough to get CAUGHT once and for ALL!! Good thoughts, good thoughts, good thoughts...

Julie said...

Absolutely sending up good thoughts (and prayers if I may) for you and your family. I am so glad you are all ok and praying that it stays that way.

Take care.

Tara R. said...

Crap Kori! They need to catch this guy. I hate this, hate it! He is going to be found out and stopped.

Melissa said...

I am so glad that you have the police involved. This is really scary.

{{hug}}

Hang in there!

Anonymous said...

That IS scary! I'm so sorry that you have to go through such an ordeal! I agree with Kristin though...maybe getting a dog would be a good thing!

Anonymous said...

Agreeing with everything that everyone else said, with a little addition of my own. Maybe it's time to take the kids over to the cop shop and see if they can learn some basic self defense moves. It would take a lot of practice to get them right, but at the same time, it may help give them a boost knowing they have some ability to fend off someone.

Sully Sullivan said...

At the risk of freaking you out...is there any chance that "stalker guy" reads this blog? I mean, if he knows where you live, where your kids play, etc...it is sort of in the realm of possibility that he has found your blog.

Lighter Note: I swear swear swear that I know how your name is spelled. I got little sleep last night and the ultra annoying girl I used to work with at my old company spelled her name that way. it must still be in my mind. Sorry for confusing you with her. I have changed the spelling on my blog.

Martin said...

Well, if you try to look at it logically, if he is getting 'braver' he is getting stupider.

He will get caught. I'm certain of it.

Rachael said...

I agree with thopgood - the buddy system sounds like a good idea. Also, never being without a cell phone. I am so sorry about all of this, I am praying for you and your family, and hoping soon you'll be able to post good news that they caught this creep.

Momo Fali said...

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I have had both a stalker and a peeping Tom. I know how fear can consume you're life and I'm glad you're going to your meeting.

I saw Kristin's comment about getting a dog. I did that after the peeping Tom incident (and he WAS caught at the end of my street) and it does give me some security. Of course, that's only when you're home so I don't know if it would work for you.

Good luck. I hope they catch him...soon!

Kori said...

Hey kori it's Kori! Ha I love it. This crazy Stalker guy is freakin me out. I say they need to set up booby traps or something.

Anywho I have a present for you. Go see.

Anonymous said...

I'm sending anti-captain-hook thoughts your way. Maybe they have a rent-a-pitbull somewhere?