Let's go back to the beginning of what we've recently been working on. I'll be vague where necessary and avoid naming names for privacy, but this is important so let's talk about it. For me, it's astounding to remember.
As mentioned in a recent blog, I met you on January 17, 2010, at Pearl's house, before I began working for her. As you know, it was a magical encounter. As far as I am aware, I did not see you again until Halloween Night 2014. If I am wrong, please correct me. On that night, you guys (you and "M") came to Pearl's house, in costume, ostensibly to trick or treat, but really to get my attention. I came out to the gate and of course you two were taller, lol, than most of my other customers that night. I think you said "we know you from church". But the thing was, I wasn't yet part of the church. Until November 2014, when I joined choir, I only ever dropped Pearl off in the parking lot. Maybe you saw me with Pearl at a church function, like one of the boutiques, or luncheons? Also, on a side note, your Mom (a great lady) was in one of the RUMC Women's Groups with Pearl, and Pearl knew "M" and her Dad. Anyhow, you two returned a little later that Halloween night, with a third person (whom all of us know well), and after talking to Pearl for a few minutes, you convinced her to let me leave with you guys, and I did. It was me and the three of you, and we drove first to (your house?) and then to Cleveland High.
I now remember well what we talked about there, sitting in the third person's car. Before a few days ago, I had no memory of the incident at all. While we were parked at Cleveland, an "extracurricular" situation may have developed, involving a police officer (and a safety concern), but vagueness is in order, and I will say no more about that. The bottom line for Halloween Night 2014, is that we had an important talk in the car.
Fast forward to December 28, 2014. It was my seventh Sunday in choir (I joined on November 9, 2014). This is from another recently recovered memory:
The service had just finished. I believe I was in the courtyard, perhaps just milling about. I was apart from Pearl, and - as I have considered the evidence of this incident - I've wondered if she came with me to church that day, or if she stayed at home.
Here is what I remember for certain: I was in the courtyard and was approached by "M" (whom I knew by sight and whose Dad I had met several times). "M" told me to follow her. She said the matter was urgent. Time and stealth were of the essence. She said (paraphrase) "just follow me and don't ask questions". I followed her into one of the rooms in the building just west of the chapel. It may have been the Fireside Room or a classroom.
The point is that you were in there. "M" brought me in to see you. Vagueness is crucial here, but as you know, I did not recognize you (and I am sorry). My memory was blocked, and my failure to recognize you - just two months after our Halloween meeting - shows how powerful those memory blocks are (at least on me). I know it was upsetting, and I'd like to go back in a Time Machine and kick myself because you are an unforgettable person. But getting back to the urgency of that meeting, there was something you and "M" wanted to tell me. Vagueness is again in order, and in truth, I still don't remember the exact details of what it was, only that it had to do with you losing your job or being transferred (through no fault of your own).
I know we had to hurry, to finish up our meeting, because you guys didn't want a certain man to catch us together. In fact, if I recall correctly, his son (who may have worked at the church) came into the room we were talking in to warn us that the man was heading our way.
He found us and broke up our meeting. I remember him telling me to follow him into another room. I will return to this part of the story later on, but it might be in a separate blog.
This next part is very important: At some point, likely not long after, I reentered the church (perhaps to hang up my choir robe) and overheard the man harassing you. I believe (though I am not 100% certain) that I went up the steps that lead to the stage, wondering what the commotion was about, and I observed this man berating you (in the aisle in front of the stage) about having spoken to me.
On a side note, when this memory returned (a few days ago), it was accompanied by a very creepy feeling.
To your credit, you stood your ground while the man was hassling you.
I remember what you said, but vagueness is in order, for now.
I am not 100% certain that this Incident of Harassment inside the church occurred on the same day of our clandestine meeting (December 28, 2014). Logic, and the available evidence tells me it did, and I'll keep working on it.
When he was done with you, the man told me to follow him back into the choir room, and I did. I'm sure I must've asked him (paraphrase) "what in the world is going on?" Another creepy feeling accompanied the memory of standing in the choir room with him. I don't yet recall what he said to me, but it probably had to do with you, and our meeting, and I think I stood up for myself. I get uppity, you might say, when anyone threatens me, even if they do it "in so many words" while smiling.
As I say, I'm wondering if Pearl was there that day. My diary (which I use to corroborate evidence) gives no indication whether she was there, or not. I'm guessing she wasn't, because she surely would've wondered where I was, and would've come looking for me. Finally, on another important side note, although this entire event happened after church was over, and most of the parishoners had probably gone home, I think there's a chance that at least one (or maybe a few) people were still on the grounds. Someone must've overheard the raised voices (including mine).
One last memory detail from this incident: two other men came into the choir room, just after the man in question was done "talking" to me (threatening me? cajoling me?) (a combination of both?) (not sure).
These two men seemed not to like me, which was strange because I'd never met them before.
Vagueness is crucial here (for now), but the memory of being in the choir room with those two men (and the things they said to me) was accompanied by a very creepy feeling.
That is all I will say, for now, about December 28, 2014.
In the next blog, we'll pick up the story on Good Friday April 3, 2015, which may be the next time I saw you.
I love you. Back soon.