Blackwell House
Wed. June 30, 1982
Mid-afternoon
"Tabby," Debbie called when she heard the door slam again. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes, mom. Like I said, I got a ride home from work. I just needed to return something that I borrowed," Tabby replied. Her mother appeared in the hallway.
"Look, I'm just really worried about you after last night," Debbie began.
"Okay, great! Everything is okay now. I'm fine. It was really scary, but it's over. I don't know what else to tell you," Tabby answered. "I mean, you heard everything that happened at the police station. There really isn't any more to add beyond that."
"Well, okay," Debbie responded. She wasn't sure what to say or do.
"I just want to rest for a while," Tabby explained. It suddenly dawned on her that they had band practice this afternoon when Trevor got off work. Starla had taken the night off from the department store so they could get more rehearsal time in before the show Saturday evening. "I just want to take a nap before band practice later."
"You have practice tonight," Her mom repeated.
Tabby nodded. "Big show Saturday night...," She started to say before her mom cut her off.
Debbie sighed. "Look Tabby, I know your friends and band are very important to you, but..."
"But what," Tabby snaped.
Debbie let out a deep breath and there was an awkward pause. "Your father is returning this weekend and he's going to be very upset about all of this," Debbie finally said.
Tabby was twisting her hair around her finger. "Yes. Yes. I know! Look, I'm sorry I am just trying to have friends and a normal life now," Tabby tried to explain defensively. "I'm in high school! I didn't ask for what happened last night... it just..."
"I know, honey. But you know how it is with him and," Debbie replied trying to sound re-assuring.
"You know what? I'm tired of having to cover things up and not have a normal life! I know that he's going to fly off the handle, accuse my friends of a bunch of stuff they didn't cause without even finding out what happened, tell me I can't hang out with them and..."
She was trying hard to fight back tears. Why the hell couldn't she stand up to him? They'd been running their whole life to cover up his dirty little secret.
"I don't want to talk about it. Just leave me alone. I'm going to rest for a while," Tabby managed. She hurried to her bedroom and slammed the door.
A moment later, she heard a soft tap on the door.
"Leave me alone," Tabby yelled through the door. "I don't want to talk about it!"
"Okay, we'll talk later then," Debbie answered. Tabby buried her face in her pillow and let everything out she'd been holding in the past few hours.
Wed. June 30, 1982
Mid-afternoon
"Tabby," Debbie called when she heard the door slam again. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes, mom. Like I said, I got a ride home from work. I just needed to return something that I borrowed," Tabby replied. Her mother appeared in the hallway.
"Look, I'm just really worried about you after last night," Debbie began.
"Okay, great! Everything is okay now. I'm fine. It was really scary, but it's over. I don't know what else to tell you," Tabby answered. "I mean, you heard everything that happened at the police station. There really isn't any more to add beyond that."
"Well, okay," Debbie responded. She wasn't sure what to say or do.
"I just want to rest for a while," Tabby explained. It suddenly dawned on her that they had band practice this afternoon when Trevor got off work. Starla had taken the night off from the department store so they could get more rehearsal time in before the show Saturday evening. "I just want to take a nap before band practice later."
"You have practice tonight," Her mom repeated.
Tabby nodded. "Big show Saturday night...," She started to say before her mom cut her off.
Debbie sighed. "Look Tabby, I know your friends and band are very important to you, but..."
"But what," Tabby snaped.
Debbie let out a deep breath and there was an awkward pause. "Your father is returning this weekend and he's going to be very upset about all of this," Debbie finally said.
Tabby was twisting her hair around her finger. "Yes. Yes. I know! Look, I'm sorry I am just trying to have friends and a normal life now," Tabby tried to explain defensively. "I'm in high school! I didn't ask for what happened last night... it just..."
"I know, honey. But you know how it is with him and," Debbie replied trying to sound re-assuring.
"You know what? I'm tired of having to cover things up and not have a normal life! I know that he's going to fly off the handle, accuse my friends of a bunch of stuff they didn't cause without even finding out what happened, tell me I can't hang out with them and..."
She was trying hard to fight back tears. Why the hell couldn't she stand up to him? They'd been running their whole life to cover up his dirty little secret.
"I don't want to talk about it. Just leave me alone. I'm going to rest for a while," Tabby managed. She hurried to her bedroom and slammed the door.
A moment later, she heard a soft tap on the door.
"Leave me alone," Tabby yelled through the door. "I don't want to talk about it!"
"Okay, we'll talk later then," Debbie answered. Tabby buried her face in her pillow and let everything out she'd been holding in the past few hours.
Debbie decided to give Tabby her space for a little while. She was clearly upset and in addition to not getting any rest last night, she was obviously scared. It wasn't just the fact that she and her friends had been kidnapped and threatened by real criminals, it was what her father would say and do when he got back from his trip. He was coming in late Saturday night.
Debbie wished she could do a better job of standing up to Karl. She knew he wanted the best for them, it was just he worked way too much, was stressed, and then he'd drink. That was when the worst came out in him. Tabby was right, though. He would certainly fly off the handle or worse when he learned about what happened and there was going to be no covering this up. The whole town already knew.
One of Tabby's friends on the cheerleading squad had been targeted in a failed break-in. Had the thugs planned to abduct her, too? Apparently, these were the same people that had stolen the captain of the squad's car a weekend early. Debbie wished she could remember the other two girls' names. She was bad at that. Debbie wished she could be more involved in Tabby's life, especially the cheerleading part. However, Karl pitched a fit about everyone's social schedules, particularly hers.
Maybe Tabby was right. These people were after all of her friends. Perhaps if they focused on the fact that these men were stalkers or thieves and targeted the girls on the cheerleading team, that would help. After all, Karl really didn't know who was who. Was it relevant which friends were with Tabby when the criminals came after them? She was with a big group and there was safety in numbers. Perhaps that would be a good way to spin it. At least one of the girls with her was on the cheer squad.
Debbie wondered if it was to her advantage to call Karl and let him know about the incident. He'd be mad, but maybe not so angry when he got home Saturday if he learned about it then. There was also the thought that someone from work or the golf course would call him and tell him about it. That would definitely not be good if he learned about it secondhand from her. At the same time, what if he got so upset he came home early?
Debbie was wringing her hands nervously as she thought through the different options. Maybe there was no right answer. Karl was likely to bring hell down on all of them when he got home, particularly if he'd been drinking a lot on the flight home. She'd hate for it to ruin Tabby and her friends' show. It was really important to her. After all, Karl had made it quite clear that on Sunday, the actual Fourth of July, he expected the four of them to go out to the country club and celebrate as a family. She might as well let Tabby have her fun and celebrate with her friends on Saturday.
Debbie decided to give her daughter some space and rest for a bit. Perhaps they could talk over the options and come up with a story and a plan before her practice or after she got home later. It was important that they both be on the same page.
Debbie wished she could do a better job of standing up to Karl. She knew he wanted the best for them, it was just he worked way too much, was stressed, and then he'd drink. That was when the worst came out in him. Tabby was right, though. He would certainly fly off the handle or worse when he learned about what happened and there was going to be no covering this up. The whole town already knew.
One of Tabby's friends on the cheerleading squad had been targeted in a failed break-in. Had the thugs planned to abduct her, too? Apparently, these were the same people that had stolen the captain of the squad's car a weekend early. Debbie wished she could remember the other two girls' names. She was bad at that. Debbie wished she could be more involved in Tabby's life, especially the cheerleading part. However, Karl pitched a fit about everyone's social schedules, particularly hers.
Maybe Tabby was right. These people were after all of her friends. Perhaps if they focused on the fact that these men were stalkers or thieves and targeted the girls on the cheerleading team, that would help. After all, Karl really didn't know who was who. Was it relevant which friends were with Tabby when the criminals came after them? She was with a big group and there was safety in numbers. Perhaps that would be a good way to spin it. At least one of the girls with her was on the cheer squad.
Debbie wondered if it was to her advantage to call Karl and let him know about the incident. He'd be mad, but maybe not so angry when he got home Saturday if he learned about it then. There was also the thought that someone from work or the golf course would call him and tell him about it. That would definitely not be good if he learned about it secondhand from her. At the same time, what if he got so upset he came home early?
Debbie was wringing her hands nervously as she thought through the different options. Maybe there was no right answer. Karl was likely to bring hell down on all of them when he got home, particularly if he'd been drinking a lot on the flight home. She'd hate for it to ruin Tabby and her friends' show. It was really important to her. After all, Karl had made it quite clear that on Sunday, the actual Fourth of July, he expected the four of them to go out to the country club and celebrate as a family. She might as well let Tabby have her fun and celebrate with her friends on Saturday.
Debbie decided to give her daughter some space and rest for a bit. Perhaps they could talk over the options and come up with a story and a plan before her practice or after she got home later. It was important that they both be on the same page.
To Tabby's surprise, she had several hours of undisturbed peace. She wasn't able to fall asleep, but it felt good just to lie in bed under the covers. After some time and she'd calmed down, she crept out of her room to the bathroom to see if it looked like she had been crying. She thought about how she had been too embarrassed to be seen by the rest of the band but that she had cried in front of Starla. Starla had cried too, so she didn't feel so alone. Her eyes were a bit red.
Hopefully, that would clear up before her mom checked on her again. Tabby crept back to her room and eased the door shut. Tabby wanted to put all of her thoughts down and pulled out the diary she kept buried in the back of a drawer. She briefly saw the hacky sack but ignored it. Why on Earth had she kept that thing? She wasn't sure.
Tabby sat down and tried to recall the evening from the beginning and all of the major events before she began writing them down. She wasn't overly concerned about spelling or it being grammatically correct. The memories and thoughts came to her faster than she could write them down.
Tabby skimmed over the page she'd written. It wasn't perfect but good enough. No one would read it anyway. She felt she'd gotten all the main points anyway. Having finished her diary and tucking it away in its hiding spot safely, Tabby pulled out her guitar. She remembered her amp was over at Matt's. Oh well, she would have had to use headphones anyway. She'd have to just play the guitar unplugged. It was easy enough to hear the notes as she ran through the setlist.
Hopefully, that would clear up before her mom checked on her again. Tabby crept back to her room and eased the door shut. Tabby wanted to put all of her thoughts down and pulled out the diary she kept buried in the back of a drawer. She briefly saw the hacky sack but ignored it. Why on Earth had she kept that thing? She wasn't sure.
Tabby sat down and tried to recall the evening from the beginning and all of the major events before she began writing them down. She wasn't overly concerned about spelling or it being grammatically correct. The memories and thoughts came to her faster than she could write them down.
Tabby skimmed over the page she'd written. It wasn't perfect but good enough. No one would read it anyway. She felt she'd gotten all the main points anyway. Having finished her diary and tucking it away in its hiding spot safely, Tabby pulled out her guitar. She remembered her amp was over at Matt's. Oh well, she would have had to use headphones anyway. She'd have to just play the guitar unplugged. It was easy enough to hear the notes as she ran through the setlist.
It was nearing dinner when Debbie decided to check on her daughter. She figured Tabby was sound asleep after a long night. As she got to her closed bedroom door, she could faintly hear her guitar. Tabby was probably using headphones and practicing her songs.
Debbie tapped on the door lightly. She figured it might take her several tries before Tabby heard her, but to her surprise, the playing stopped and the door swung open a moment later. Without a word, Tabby poked her head out the door.
"Sorry to bother you hon," Debbie began. "I wasn't sure if you were napping. I just wanted to check in and..."
"Pick up where our conversation left off before I came in here," her daughter finished rolling her eyes. "Like I said previously, what else do we need to say? There is no getting around this. Dad is gonna be really pissed when he finds out. Nothing I'm going to say or you are going to say will change that despite the fact that I really wasn't doing ANYTHING wrong."
"I know," Debbie replied sympathetically. "I'm just wondering, though. Should I maybe call him tonight? He might be madder if he finds out from someone at work or once he gets here and we didn't tell him immediately."
"It doesn't matter," Tabby argued. "Like I said, he's not going to show any mercy because we told him before he asked. The thing is if you call him now or offer that info., what's to say he won't use that as a reason to come home early? That will really bring hell down on all of us! It might also mean I can't perform Saturday night. That's not going to just affect me. It will affect a lot of other people who shouldn't have their lives ruined because..."
"I know," Debbie interrupted nodding her head. "It's not fair and you should have a right to do things with your friends..."
"So, unless he hears about it first and specifically asks you, don't tell him anything! I'm already worried about what will happen after he's home. At least let me do my gig with my friends and let things be normal a few more days while it still can be..."
"Alright," Debbie agreed. She knew there was no way to win this one and Tabby clearly understood that.
"I have to get ready to go to band practice in a bit," Tabby informed her mom.
"You should eat something before you go," Debbie suggested.
Tabby just nodded and made her way into the kitchen. She fiddled with her hair as she did. That uncomfortable knot was beginning to form in the pit of her stomach. She was going to have to force something down. It was all too often that Tabby had no appetite after these discussions. Why did they have to always live in fear?
Debbie tapped on the door lightly. She figured it might take her several tries before Tabby heard her, but to her surprise, the playing stopped and the door swung open a moment later. Without a word, Tabby poked her head out the door.
"Sorry to bother you hon," Debbie began. "I wasn't sure if you were napping. I just wanted to check in and..."
"Pick up where our conversation left off before I came in here," her daughter finished rolling her eyes. "Like I said previously, what else do we need to say? There is no getting around this. Dad is gonna be really pissed when he finds out. Nothing I'm going to say or you are going to say will change that despite the fact that I really wasn't doing ANYTHING wrong."
"I know," Debbie replied sympathetically. "I'm just wondering, though. Should I maybe call him tonight? He might be madder if he finds out from someone at work or once he gets here and we didn't tell him immediately."
"It doesn't matter," Tabby argued. "Like I said, he's not going to show any mercy because we told him before he asked. The thing is if you call him now or offer that info., what's to say he won't use that as a reason to come home early? That will really bring hell down on all of us! It might also mean I can't perform Saturday night. That's not going to just affect me. It will affect a lot of other people who shouldn't have their lives ruined because..."
"I know," Debbie interrupted nodding her head. "It's not fair and you should have a right to do things with your friends..."
"So, unless he hears about it first and specifically asks you, don't tell him anything! I'm already worried about what will happen after he's home. At least let me do my gig with my friends and let things be normal a few more days while it still can be..."
"Alright," Debbie agreed. She knew there was no way to win this one and Tabby clearly understood that.
"I have to get ready to go to band practice in a bit," Tabby informed her mom.
"You should eat something before you go," Debbie suggested.
Tabby just nodded and made her way into the kitchen. She fiddled with her hair as she did. That uncomfortable knot was beginning to form in the pit of her stomach. She was going to have to force something down. It was all too often that Tabby had no appetite after these discussions. Why did they have to always live in fear?
Tabby made herself a small dinner and was picking at it when something occurred to her. "Hey, mom," She said suddenly. "Not that this will help, but I think the thing to do is play up that Jerry guy that broke into Doreen's house. He targeted her apparently. It sounded like he was obsessed with her."
"Yes, that is what the other moms were saying about the situation," Debbie said with a nod.
"So, let's focus on the fact that Starla and I are also cheerleaders and he was following us that night," Tabby suggested. That wasn't true. They had followed him the night before and driven out to see where he'd gone, but her mother didn't need to know that and Jerry sure wasn't going to pop up and contest those facts.
"That's a good idea," Debbie agreed.
"I mean, is it my fault a creepy guy was stalking the two of us," Tabby continued. "Dad should be glad I was with a group of friends. What if it had just been Starla and me? The fact that Trevor and Matt were there probably helped ensure things weren't worse and we had Shelley, too. There were more girls than guys in the group. They didn't even realize how many of us were in the van when it broke down. And I will point out that Jerry obviously was after Shelley's car cuz he and that other creepy guy took her keys and went to go find the car."
It was still unclear how and why they'd gone to Doreen's house if they were after Shelley's car, but the fact they didn't have the story meant that she could shape the narrative in her favor. "So anyway, just further proof we weren't doing anything wrong that night," Tabby concluded.
She wasn't going to share they'd hung out with Jerry on the lake and at Gary's prior to all of that. Tabby forced a few bites of food. Her real worries were what was going to happen with her being allowed to stay in the band and continue seeing her friends besides Starla. Was this going to be the band's last show? Had they played their final session of D&D with Jerry?
"Yes, that is what the other moms were saying about the situation," Debbie said with a nod.
"So, let's focus on the fact that Starla and I are also cheerleaders and he was following us that night," Tabby suggested. That wasn't true. They had followed him the night before and driven out to see where he'd gone, but her mother didn't need to know that and Jerry sure wasn't going to pop up and contest those facts.
"That's a good idea," Debbie agreed.
"I mean, is it my fault a creepy guy was stalking the two of us," Tabby continued. "Dad should be glad I was with a group of friends. What if it had just been Starla and me? The fact that Trevor and Matt were there probably helped ensure things weren't worse and we had Shelley, too. There were more girls than guys in the group. They didn't even realize how many of us were in the van when it broke down. And I will point out that Jerry obviously was after Shelley's car cuz he and that other creepy guy took her keys and went to go find the car."
It was still unclear how and why they'd gone to Doreen's house if they were after Shelley's car, but the fact they didn't have the story meant that she could shape the narrative in her favor. "So anyway, just further proof we weren't doing anything wrong that night," Tabby concluded.
She wasn't going to share they'd hung out with Jerry on the lake and at Gary's prior to all of that. Tabby forced a few bites of food. Her real worries were what was going to happen with her being allowed to stay in the band and continue seeing her friends besides Starla. Was this going to be the band's last show? Had they played their final session of D&D with Jerry?
Moderators: LisaBlankenship AgentMilkshake