Rita's Reflections: Sometimes a stalker isn't so bad
The restaurant was empty except for a couple of gentlemen already seated. The server informed me I could sit wherever. I make it a habit to sit where I have a view of the entrance/exit doors. This was no exception. I wanted to see my "stalker" when she walked in the door.
She looked "normal" in the picture she sent. She mentioned several times in emails we had a lot in common — like we could be sisters from another mother. I thought that was sweet. I always wanted a sister from another mother. I was not sure I wanted a stalker sister from another mother.
When we agreed to meet, she said I would be safe. It seemed like something a stalker might say to the stalkee. For all I knew the entire restaurant (four people) may have been in on the shenanigans about to happen. I often act immature, but I am far from naïve.
Seriously, who willingly wants to meet someone who does not hide much? It might turn out like a bad romance I will eventually write about. I hope this sister stalker realizes that can be a slippery slope to slide down.
A woman walked in and informed the server she was meeting someone. She sounds "normal" was my first thought. When she walked into the dining area, she looked just like her picture — sans sunglasses. She looked as "normal" as she sounded. I relaxed a bit.
When I stood to greet her, my stalker flashed a warm genuine smile that reached her blue eyes. Although looking nothing like her, her face suddenly morphed into a smiling Kathy Bates in the movie “Misery.” Was this nut job going to kidnap me and force me to write a different ending to one of my columns? And do I have an unhealthy obsession with Kathy Bates?
Suddenly I was curious if blue-eyed people make better stalkers. I wish I had done some research on stalkers and eye color.
When she ordered rye toast with her scrambled eggs, I thought it odd a stalker would like rye bread. I like rye bread. Maybe things were heading in the right direction.
As fast as the snap of two fingers, I was back to feeling concern when she ordered coffee. I do not like coffee. But it makes sense a stalker would drink coffee to stay mentally unstable. I made a mental note to watch her coffee intake and kept my water glass close to prevent her from slipping me something I might not enjoy. When I tasted the awful restaurant water, I thought she already had.
It briefly occurred to me ... my stalker might suffer from multiple personality disorder. She could be Cindy today, Sybil or Maxine tomorrow. Cindy said she wondered if I thought she was a stalker. I did, but I started to breathe normally again. No one in their right mind(s) admits they have stalking tendencies. Do they?
Although my stalker never felt threatening, I felt at a disadvantage. People know a little about me from my writing. I knew nothing about her except that Cindy is whip-smart and has a wonderful sense of humor. It did not seem like a stalker would have a funny bone. Or be whip-smart for that matter.
I expect my friends to be honest and forthright with me. They must also have integrity. Cindy is all those. And she is passionate about things outside her own comfortable bubble. I like that even more.
It was not prearranged, but a half hour into my meeting Cindy, Larry texted to ask how it was going. I hit the microphone button on my cellphone and said, “She seems normal.” When Cindy laughed, it felt like I could finally let my guard down and see where this stalking thing goes.
— Rita Wyatt Zorn is a wife, mother, grandmother and lifetime Monroe County resident. She can be reached at 7.noniez@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Rita's Reflections: Sometimes a stalker isn't so bad
