I’m in a weird space today.

A young classmate told me that a “creep” is following her.  Upon questioning her further, it turns out that an older man in a red pickup has been harassing her.  He recently told her that he’s actually been watching her for a couple of years.  She doesn’t have a car but lives within walking distance of the college.  It seems he’s been keeping tabs on her while she’s going to and from school.  He’s begun to slow down as he pulls alongside her, offering to give her a ride.  She refuses or ignores him.  He drives past her house constantly.  Now, it seems, he’s discovered her last name and has looked her up in the phone book.  The calls have begun.  She was really rattled by the time she made it to class and told some of us about it.  I offered her a ride home- I’ve given her a ride before- but she had just made arrangements with a professor to do so.  She says if he keeps this up (duh!) she’s going to have to call the police.  Which of course she should.  But there’s nothing they can do for her until he actually harms her.  The best she could hope for would be a restraining order, a totally useless thing.  But I didn’t say any of that.  Best the police at least know of the situation.  Until this is resolved, I don’t think any of us are going to let her walk anymore.

She said that he drives a red pickup, but I didn’t find out the make or model.  As I walked across campus, I kept an eye out.  As I drove off, I noticed an older gentleman get out of his red truck and enter a hardware store across the green from the building our class was in.  Poor man.  It probably wasn’t even him, but all I could think was “Great.  There he goes, getting supplies.  Some chains, a rope, a shovel…”

Yeah, too many crime shows.  But I also recognize that this stalker is escalating, and that worries me.  She’s sweet, but always seems to be lost in a dream world; she’s spacey.  It wouldn’t be hard for him to nab her.  This has apparently been going on for some time, but she’s only just now becoming aware of it, or that it’s a problem.

I’m worried.

Something similar happened to me when I was about her age.  John hid me when it all started to hit the fan, and he helped me through it.  Jim, my stalker, has returned once or twice over the years but never for long.  He’s made too many enemies around here for that.  He showed up at the gas station about a year ago, shortly before I quit.  He was actually one of the reasons I decided to leave there.  Nothing like not being able to get away!  But I have Randy, and I’ve learned street smarts (and self-defense), and I am always aware of what’s happening around me when I’m walking alone, night or day.

I am not an easy target.

She is.

Those of us who have classes with her can give her rides, but she still has a life outside of school.  I hope she goes to the police.  I hope that scares him off.

I wish I could believe that it would.

Somewhere out there is a sweet young woman who’s in trouble, perhaps more than she knows.  Please keep her in your thoughts.

I couldn’t leave a post about a potential stalker-esque homicide up on Valentine’s Day (although my twisted sense of humor tempted me to do so…)

Whether you’re partnered up or not, you’re loved. Have some balloons. It’s not much, but I made them for you with some of that hot air I’m so full of.  Take them; they’re yours.