Protection Order Part 2- Calling the Police

December 18.
The policeman stood on the other side of the counter and asked me if I was okay.
He could see I was visibly upset. I knew him because he occasionally comes to the storage facility if we have an issue or break in attempt.

I explained that it was time to file the report against my former customer. I needed it to be on file that I was concerned for my safety and that of my six year old daughter.

I had put the pressure on this customer to move out of his storage unit. I had asked my employees to deal with him so that I did not need to speak with him. On September 10th he moved out. After he moved out in September he left a long, rambling voicemail. The best way to describe it is to just let you listen to it. I was wise enough to keep a recording of it. Please remember as you listen, that this man was only a customer at my storage facility. We only ever talked as you would with customers at your place of business.

The storage facility I manage.

Messages like this on my machine were part of the reason why the police officer was here.

Now if you haven’t read my last posting about my situation, here it is. It will help you catch up on why this guy was cause for concern.

https://steemit.com/writing/@organicrecreate/deciding-to-file-a-protection-order-crazy-has-a-name

From September until December 15 I hadn’t spoken with him, but not for lack of trying on his part. I had become so conditioned that every time the phone rang I watched for the name before picking up - with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. He called every so often. Naturally, I did not answer. He left another voicemail on December 15th.

It’s not that his messages were overtly threatening. On the contrary, they were strategically flush with compliments. It became apparent that he completely understood contact with him was not something I desired, nor my family. Still, he persisted. I have noticed as I listen to these recordings again how he seemed to push from his mind the times I asked him to leave and to only be professional and hone in on the idea that it was only my husband who wanted his absence. This must have fit better with the narrative he conjured in his mind. At the time I wasn’t aware how far removed from reality this man is.

He believed he saw our vehicle and wondered if I was in the neighborhood where he lives, he inquires. He uses words like “heartfelt”, “wondered”, makes sure I know that he is here for me (because he feels that I need him?). Tries to push a sense of urgency by saying he is moving out of state or having surgery. Tries to ease what he falsely imagines is my concern for him. The most unsettling statements are those that include my daughter. After this second voicemail it becomes clear that he has not only attached himself to me, but to her as well.

My daughter hanging out at work.

This was the straw that broke my back.

I remembered that he had said in his email that he twitter searched me and so I decided to do my own research. I was not mentally prepared for what I found. It was the final nail in the coffin of inertia.

It is why I called the police.

It deserves its own post, so until next time….