Hey y'all. I need some advice from those who don't mind reading a lengthy post... lol.
I think I have a weirdo in my subdivision, and I'm not quite at the point of "alarmed," but my imagination is starting to run a bit wild...
Lemme give you the history.
One day, back in February or March, I arrived home to find a red gift bag with a teddy bear in it and a red heart-shaped balloon attached. Inside, there was a card that said, "Welcome Neighbor" with a brief handwritten note welcoming me to the sub, signed with a full name (first, middle, last, suffix). About a week later, I was about to throw the balloon and bag out when I noticed that there was a business card inside. I felt badly because I hadn't seen it prior to that, so I never said "thank you."
I called the guy, thanked him. Conversation was kinda weird, but not alarming. There were a lot of weird pauses. For example, he'd say, "So are you from Atlanta, or did you move here from another state?" I'd answer, and then there'd be a long, quiet pause.
(hindsight red flag) Then, I would say, "well, okay, thanks again..." and he'd start a whole other conversation, with lengthy pauses in between each Q&A. At one point, of course, I asked him about church and he told me about his. I told him about the one I was working with at that time, and he expressed an interest. I told him that he's welcome to join me any Sunday, and he said that he would like to come that Sunday.
(2nd hindsight red flag).
He did indeed come that Sunday, and as I had forewarned him, I was extremely busy. He left before I came out of my office, so that week, I called him to thank him for coming and apologize for not speaking to him after service.
Here are the other weird incidents that really started to raise red flags:
1. I got a text msg from him in April asking if I had plans for Saturday night and wanted to join him at the Pink Pony. I suspected and later found out that this is a nasty, swanky, cheap adults-only club. I didn't respond to the text.
2. Another occasion, I ran into him outside and after chit-chatting for about 5 minutes, I said I had to go inside. He said OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE "I have a new camera phone. May I take your picture before you go?"
Of course, I declined. That totally weirded me out.
3. One night, I was seeing some friends to their car after Sunday dinner. Another friend and I were heading back inside my house when he practically ran out of his front door to say hello. Later on (about 1:30 a.m.) he sent me a text asking if my lady friend and I would like to come over for a nightcap (his words). I ignored it.
4. About a month after that, he called me several times, starting at 8:00a, and finally left a VM asking when my friend and I were going to come over to have a drink. He sent a text asking the same thing. I ignored it. That evening, I saw him again on my way in, and told him I had a very busy month ahead of me and didn't see it happening any time soon.
5. The following Saturday morning, my phone rang at 7:00 a.m. I didn't answer, and he called back 3 more times. I got a text from him asking me what I like to drink because he's on his way to the package store. I ignored it. Later when I saw him, he mentioned that he was trying to get in touch with me, but since he couldn't, he just got a variety of packages...
6. A few weeks ago, he sent me a text asking me if I wanted to join him at Magic City (another adults-only club). I ignored it.
7. This morning, at
SIX FOURTEEN AY EMM (that's 6:14 a.m.), my phone rang. I didn't recognize the number, but I figured if someone is calling me that early, it must be important. I answered the phone with my
I'm-asleep-so-this-better-be-important voice and heard these words:
"
LaRue. Good morning. If I cooked a nice breakfast this morning(pause), do you promise me you'll come over and join me? I said, "uhhhh, no. Who is this?" He said his name. I said, "Oh, good morning. Thank you for the offer, but I'm going to have to decline." He paused, and then said, "
Oh well. I guess I'll just go to the Waffle House or something. I hate to eat alone."
Question is... should I be alarmed at this point, or is this guy probably just a harmless weirdo?
And for the record, I have never, ever done or said anything to make this dude think I'm even remotely interested in him, his cocktails, friendship, or strip clubs. In fact, since the first conversation, I've been very direct and cold towards him because I found him to be very strange and intrusive.
