Garage Guy update

[tenaya]

Yesterday evening, I was fixing dinner in preparation for leaving for work. The phone rings but we let the answering machine get it since there have been 3 or 4 hang up calls since GG left. It's GG: "Hello? I don't know where you are, but pick up the phone. Pick up the phone. I don't want anything; just want to say hello." Pause. "I'm outside your house." Pause. "Well, I guess that's plain enough. I won't call you again. You have my cell phone number if you want to contact me."

It was obvious he knew we were home. It occured to me that if I'd looked out the window a few minutes earlier, I could have probably seen him peering in the window at me. We're set a hundred feet from the street and if one stands right in front of the garage, it's possible to see behind the house and into the kitchen--which is probably what he did prior to calling.

It was both creepy and alarming, and made me angry. Since I was hurrying to get dinner, finish dressing before I rushed to work, I very well might not have answered the phone even if it was a friend. As usual, this was just another sign of how manipulative and inappropriate he is. I will be so relieved if this is the end of it, but somehow I doubt it. Maybe it will be a lull at least.

Comments

[chance1562.livejournal.com]

Eeww, that's positively stalkerlike. Seriously, if he keeps bothering you like that, to the point of invadng your privacy (and he won't take the damned hint) you might want to get a restraining order or something.

Gah, the image of someone looking in the window...yick.

::hugs::

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that thought had occured to me as something that might eventually have to happen. If there are any future events, I'm going to approach him head on about his behavior.

[chance1562.livejournal.com]

And bash it but good if he doesn't listen. Just gives me the heebies ::shudder::

[graculus.livejournal.com]

You should keep track of what's been going on, just in case (hang-ups, time and date of call, anything else that makes you think he's been hanging around the house). Keep the answer machine message he made last night, if you haven't already erased it. The last thing you need is for him to persist in this behaviour (which is stalking, by any definition of the word) and for you not to have sufficient evidence to get the police involved if you need to.

Both you and your mum should use the answering machine to screen all calls for at least the next few weeks, keeping copies of any messages he leaves.

If he persists in making contact with you, then you should probably speak to him *once* and categorically ask him not to come around the house or phone you and that his behaviour has made you ask him to do this and that it is unacceptable. That you have no intention of getting into a debate on the subject and make it clear you won't be speaking with him again about it.

Hopefully this will be the end of it, but if his previous behaviour is anything to go by... *sigh*

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

This is excellent advice. Unfortunately, Mom had immediately erased that message, which was unfortunate. And we are letting the machine take every call now. The only record I have of his behavior is this journal. The good news is that there have been NO hang up calls for a week now (there had been 3-4 per day before) and no further attempt to contact us. And if he should contact me, I'm going to do as you suggest and tell him point blank to leave us alone and that that is final.

[moonchildetoo.livejournal.com]

Oooh, this is creepy! The thought of him spying on you is spooky. If he leaves you any more funky phone calls, or you or your mom have any reason to think he's continuing to spy on you or the house, you might want to think about recording it with the cops - explaining the situation and emphasizing your elderly mom and the fact that you work long shifts and she's home alone, and asking if they can cruise by every now and then. Maybe if the cops catch him and stop and question him, that'll nip this before it goes any farther (if it does go any further than this). Good luck!

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the advice. I will persue that avenue if necessary. I appreciate the concern.

[catalenamara.livejournal.com]

Oh man! Very creepy indeed. I agree with everyone's comments - save any evidence you have of his stalking, and contact the police it he does it again.

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

I will take it more serious if it persists. It just took me unawares but everyone's perspective has helped me to see that if it goes beyond this, it just isn't annoying anymore, but something that needs to be dealt with. Thank you.