“On second thought maybe you’re not the person to advise me. I’ll bet you never get your hands dirty.”
“Depends.”
“I’ll start at the beginning. Last year I found out my daughter was selling stuff on the Internet. Stuff she didn’t want like DVDs, an old CD player she never used, and a pair of new shoes she didn’t like. Other kids were doing it, she told me. I didn’t think much of it until I discovered she’d stolen one of my panties and sold it on the Internet.”
She said it nonchalantly at about the same grievance level as finding the milk left out all night. Sandy was unprepared for such a statement. She sat with her mouth open.
Abby noticed her reaction and nodded with a knowing smile. “Yeah, kids today, who knows what they’ll come up with.”
“How old did you say she is?”
“Ten.”
“Ten? She should be playing with dolls.” Sandy rolled her eyes. “Remind me to never have any. How on earth do you handle something like that? What’d you do?”
“Well, I was furious, of course. Told her she was grounded. No more computer, no more privileges...the usual. I swear the mothering never stops. You try to do everything you should as a mother, but sometimes it just isn’t enough.”
“What did she say?”
“She told me how much money she got. I was surprised. So I made a deal with her. I wouldn’t punish her if she’d show me how she did it.”
Sandy leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes tightly, hoping this woman would be gone when she reopened them. She thought about all of the more interesting ways she could waste time. Now annoyed and impatient, she said, “Abby, why am I here?”
“Well, it turns out panties are a hot item on the Internet, but there’s a downside. I think one of my customers is coming after me.
“Geez Abby, you must have expected some kinky reactions.”
“At first, I thought he was just cyberstalking me, you know, using the Internet. Now I think it’s escalated to physical stalking. I just feel he’s getting closer and I’m getting worried. Got a ten-year-old daughter, you know. I’ve had some weird phone calls, strange sounds outside. Don’t scold me, I know I’ve made a mess of things, but I can’t undo it all now.” She sneaked a look at Sandy wondering if she believed any of this shit. “What should I do?”
Sandy wished the daughter were far away from this house. “Most police departments aren’t up to speed on cyberstalking, but there’s usually someone in the department who can advise you about computer security, but....”
“But, I know the first thing they’re going to say is knock off the panty game. I’m a single mom, Sandy. I need that income and I can work at home. It’s perfect.”
“...I was going to say if you can give the police some evidence of physical stalking they do know how to handle that.”
“But sometimes they can’t do anything until it’s too late, right?”
“So take extra precautions, especially concerning your daughter. And you should think about some other work-at-home business. Have you thought about phone sex, you could call it Dial-A-Slut? You could sit and paint your toenails while talking dirty to men.” Sandy didn’t smile while she said it.
“Be sarcastic if you want. What I’m doing is legal and I don’t make the rules.” Abby wasn’t fazed. She was pleased. She knew Sandy was emotionally into it. Her mind raced back to that rehab counselor. A brilliant idea was taking shape—the piece that was missing from her scheme. Just send that old counselor Sandy mentioned some hot emails. He’ll definitely remember her. She was his favorite. Just hint at picking up where they left off. You should see me now, fella. Entice him to reply with his own raunchy emails. Abby knew how to do it so her emails couldn’t be traced.
Then when boyfriend Toby shows up, shoot him and claim she thought she was shooting the guy who sent the raunchy emails.
Sandy was uncomfortable with this entire situation and not just because she didn’t approve of Abby’s laid- back morality. Selling panties on the Internet was legal and none of Sandy’s business anyway. Something else was going on around here. Something wasn’t right. Abby seemed insincere and not at all defensive. She knew very well how to handle a stalker. Why did she get Sandy there to tell her all this?
Abby was just snapping out of her deep thought. “What was that counselor’s name? I don’t remember.”
“Well, I’ll never forget...Bruce Banks.”
“Oh yeah, I remember, Bruce Banks. Now lives somewhere in Delaware you say?” Abby smiled to herself, now her plan was complete. She’d claim she shot the prowler because of her anxiety about the predator showing up on her doorstep. The police can check everything out with Sandy if they don’t believe her.
She was pleased with the frown on Sandy’s face. Sandy had bought her story, was now involved, and would back up parts of the story if asked.
The front door slammed and Abby said, “My daughter. We’re in the kitchen, Jamie!” The young girl didn’t respond and shuffled passed the kitchen door without pausing. “Jamie, come back here for a minute.”
Jamie plodded back in view and let her backpack fall unabated to the floor with a thud. Sandy looked at the young girl slouching in the kitchen doorway. She was slim and likely one of the tallest in her class. She wore a light sweater, tan shorts, and sandals. Her straight brown hair was long and the bangs were a cute match with her fancy glasses.
“This is Sandy, Jamie, say hello.”
Sandy spoke first, “Hi Jamie, I like your cool glasses.”
The young girl glared boldly at her and said harshly, “I’m totally thrilled.”
Her mother let it pass. “We knew each other as teenagers and Sandy dropped by to say hello. Wasn’t that nice?”
“Whatever. I suppose she’s going to...help you guys.”
Abby shot a nervous glance over at Sandy, “Jamie’s talking about panty biz, aren’t you honey?” The phone rang, Abby said she’d take it in the other room and left the kitchen.
When they were alone Jamie said, “I saw you drive past me. Is that your little red car?”
“Yes, do you like it?”
“Way cool. Is it like a real car...you know what I mean?”
“Yes, like a regular car only way cool. My pride and joy. Look, I don’t really know your mom very well. We met years ago but we’re not close friends. I live in Park Beach.” She lowered her voice, “I don’t know what’s actually going on with your mom, Jamie, but I don’t like it. I think you do know what’s going on and you don’t like it either. Do you have anyone to talk to about stuff that bothers you, maybe a grandmother?”
The girl just stood there, looking down.
“I’m not a lawyer yet but I know how to help young girls. That’s what I do...stuff like that.” That wasn’t what she did, but with this girl she’d be willing to start. “I realize you don’t know me, but I’d like to be your friend and help you.”
Jamie folded her arms across her chest and turned away.
That reaction did it. Sandy knew she’d hit on something. “Whatever your mother is up to is wrong and don’t give me panty junk because I think it’s more than that. I’d like to help you. Could we be friends?”
Jamie turned toward her and snapped, “Back off, lady.”
This girl at age ten was so much like herself at that age it frightened Sandy. She would bet the rebellion and distrust would be plainly evident in Jamie later as a teenager. She could see herself making the same smart- mouthed response if some stranger tried to invade her world. She understood this child. She was certain she could reach her. She knew she might not have another chance, might never be alone with this kid again.
No time. Abby could walk back in. Sandy was desperate. “Listen, I know you don’t trust adults, but I want the
