My First Stalker, Pt. 2

"I'LL NOT BE IGNORED!"

Yes, that's a quote from the ultimate stalker film, Fatal Attraction. Stacey didn't get that bad. Still...

As I mentioned, she would call constantly and leave messages on my answering machine. Or just call and hang up. Often, she would just show up at my apartment and knock for about 5 or 10 minutes. One good thing about not having a car, she never knew if I was actually home or not. When she did stay outside and knock, I would just sit still and be quiet until she left. Yeah, I know. I'm a coward. Shut it. I really had never experienced anything like that, so I didn't know how to handle it.

This went on for a couple of weeks and finally slowed down a bit. Not stopping completely though. One night at work, she shows up. As per usual, just kind of hung out waiting for me. Watching me the whole time. Really weird. Sure, most guys think they would love having some girl stare at them all night. When they're crazy, it's a different story.

I did the mature and brave thing and approached her like she initially came up to me. Through her friend. I saw her friend and pulled her aside.

"Listen. I feel really bad, but I just don't dig Stacey all that much any more. She's a cool chick and all, but it's just not working out. I don't know how to tell her, so maybe you could say something?"

Her friend was disappointed, but seemed to realize it was pretty much over already. She gave me a look that suggested I was wise to run. Almost as if she knew her friend was a bit "off." Just then, Stacey walks up. Awkward.

"Why haven't you called me back? Is everything okay? Are we still girlfriend and boyfriend?"

I was astonished. We were never girlfriend and boyfriend. We never talked about it. It had only been a month or so. I didn't know what to say back to her. I did my best to be nice.

"Uh...well, Stacey. It's like this....um...I just don't think....well, I mean....you're a great girl. Lotsa fun and all. I mean, we had fun, right? Well, I am so busy lately and just don't have time to be with anyone. I just need....uh...space. Ya know?"

She looked at me with that deer in the headlights look. Like she really didn't understand or possibly didn't hear me. I knew this by her terse response.

"Huh?"

This was gonna be harder than I thought.

"Stacey. I don't know what to tell you. I just don't think it's working out. Ya know? Don't be upset. It's cool. I'll see you here and maybe we can hang out some time. It's just...now..is...well...I just can't right now."

And with that. I walked away. Yeah, go ahead. Say it. I'm a dick. I was 22! And she was a little crazy!

She still called here and there. And even stopped by. I didn't answer my phone for a month. She would be at the club and I'd do my best to avoid her. Try to get her friend to influence her to leave. She would just stand by the bar. Staring at me.

About a month later, I was performing in a production of City of Angels. Rehearsals had been going on and the show was to run for 3 weekends. All of the sudden, on opening night, I get some flowers and a book. The book was a script version of City of Angels. The show I was doing. What? The person who gave me this didn't think they gave us scripts? I opened up the book. Front page had an inscription.

"To Jimmy Aquino

Much success and fame to you.

Love, Stacey"

Holy shit! She's here? Wow. Well, hopefully, I'm safe up on stage. I sift through the flowers and find a card.

"Jimmy

Here's wishing you a great opening night. I hope you find love and happiness in the future whether it's with or without me.

Love, Stacey"

Suddenly she's U2. With or without me? I hadn't talked to her in over a month or so. She was still living under the delusion that there might be an "us"? I ducked her after the show, but heard through friends that she hung out in the lobby for quite some time waiting to see me. Hey, she could have had a gun! You never know!

After that, I didn't hear from her again. I kept thinking I saw her appear in different spots. At the mall. At the movies. At the grocery store. At church. Okay, not church. Like I was there. After some time, the feeling eventually passed.

Though I did think I saw her just the other day lurking around a corner.....

My advice to you if you feel this might happen with someone you meet.

RUN!

I got off lucky. Will you?

Comments

[Priscellie]

I guy I know online was stalked. At its most dramatic point, the stalker killed the guy's neighbor's cat, because my friend had once complained about how irritating the cat was. Hooooooly crap is the phrase I'd use.