Thursday, July 10, 2008

We Are Okay

I am here, I am okay. We are still staying at Steve's for one more night, but we are going back home tomorrow night. Steve picked up a deadbolt to put in, he unearthed some pepper spray from God knows where, and we also have a heavy aluminum baseball bat and one of those hard wooden t-ball bats (who knew that the absolute misery of schlepping kids to those goddamned t-ball and baseball games would actually serve some practical purpose?). I am well aware that none of this is fail-safe, and certainly will not prevent someone from TRYING to get in again, but if nothing else, they give us a better sense of security, which is sadly lacking at the moment.

However, Hannah is doing better since she spoke with the cop yesterday, and that is really important. She slept very well last night, and that helps, too. I am not averse to getting her counseling, but am willing to wait the couple of weeks that Janet (our doc, as well as a friend, for those who don't know) recommended to just see how she does. I know that going home is going to be rough on her, just as it is on me, but I also know that we HAVE to.

What helps is that I am starting to get pissed instead of numb. I am pissed that some fucker made it so my home feels unsafe to me. I have lived alone for over 5 years, and not once have I been afraid to walk into my home, or sleep with the windows open, or lay on the couch at night with the door open. Not once have I been afraid to let the kids sleep outside, and not once have I worried (beyond normal concern) about the kids going down to the park to play. Now that has all changed, and I am so fucking mad about it that I could scream. Don't worry-I am not mad enough to be stupid and forget that this person is still lurking out there; I am very well aware that if he is a stalker in the truest sense of the word, he will be back as soon as the police quit patrolling regularly. But I am mad enough to not want to let that asshole rule my life. We will take reasonable precautions, and we will report anything suspicious no matter how small, and eventually they will catch him. But pissed? Yeah. If by any chance he ever gets into the house again, he will have a lot more to worry about than whether or nor he can get his dick into me or my daughter.

Ah. I know how that sounds, but I am ANGRY today. And it feels good, it really does. Because it is far better than feeling victimized and nervous all of the time, and it is also far better than feeling guilty. You are all right; this has nothing to do with anything we did or did not do. I had no reason NOT to let the kids sleep outside, no reason to worry about whether or not I should lock the door. I cannot and WILL not allow him to make me feel ashamed and embarrassed and dirty; HE should.

Tomorrow I might feel differently, but today, this feels like a good place to be. We will worry about tomorrow when it gets here.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Anger is good, anger can be utilized into the most intense power. Instead of "How could this happen?" stick with "How dare he!" Keep that rush rolling, if he has the balls to show up again, you will have more then enough capability to take him on. You're a strong woman Kori, don't ever forget that.

Anonymous said...

You go girl! Thank you for keeping us posted.

Mama Smurf said...

Did they ever get the finger prints?

April said...

That's the Kori I know and love! :) Glad to see you feeling stronger today.

MarĂ­a said...

Wooo! Go Kori! You're awesome.

Anonymous said...

I am glad you are angry!! Good for you!!

BusyDad said...

In this case, I see anger as a good thing. At least the feeling of paralysis has given way to something more directed. Turn that into vigilance and it will do you good.

Melissa said...

OMG! I'm just catching up here and all I can say is OMG!

But I'm glad you and your family are working through this and I hope there is a resolution soon!

Prayers and hugs for you all.

Julie said...

You might consider getting an alarm system for the house (if you don't already have one). My family has one on the house I grew up in, and it gives me a sense of comfort and security.

It has also helped us/the neighbors/the police catch burglars twice when no one was home.

Anonymous said...

I get supper busy for a couple of weeks and don't check in and THIS happens? I am proud of the way you are handling it, but wish it had never happened. I thought I was paranoid the other day when I swear the creepy guy at the store was reading my license plate, even if I was paranoid I made sure to tell Ed about him, just in case.

FreedomFirst said...

I just hope that when fate catches up to him, it will be in such a way that you hear about it, so you will know he is out of the picture.

I still think marbles on the porch and an electrified doorknob are a good idea. Hehe. But a deadbolt is a good start.

Momo Fali said...

Thanks for your kind words today. And, I'm so happy to have someone else to be angry with!!