My Recent Comments

I just got a phone call from the residence.  Vicky's gone again.

 I thaink them for the call, but politely told them we can't go through this again...asked them please to call us when she returns.

Thanked them for all they do for Vicky.

I can't say that Vicky was totally unharmed by the three day excursion because some of what we've learned and/or surmised is frightening.  However she seemed to have either orchestrated what went on or was a willing party to it.

There were never three girls out there.  Her friends at the residence sorta knew she was up in some guy's apartment near the residence and made up the story about a third girl to send police on a wild goose chase.  They totally had misplaced loayalties.  We still don't know who the guy is.  None of the girls are talking.

The low functioning girl with severe psychiatric problems left Vicky yesterday morning and returned to her parents home (PTL) and was immediately admitted to a pediatric psychiatric facility.  Vicky chose to stay with the guy.

We went to the residence to meet with staff and make a missing person's report as it was more than 48 hours.  At that time, someone who is in some way affiliated with the residence phoned reporting that Vicky was in a park near by.  My husband Joseph and a staff member left to try to bring her back.  She did come back with them -- a very sullen teen. 

I can say she's totally unrepentent, was hostile and uncommunicative to the hospital staff and doctors where Joseph and I agreed to take her to get medical clearance so she could return to the residence.  She refused to answer routine medical questions and it took hours to get paperwork done. 

This while the woman who agreed to be an emergency babysitter for Vicky's two half-sisters could no longer watch them.  So, Joseph had to go get them and bring them to this inner city ER waiting room where they sat while a man yelled obscenities at hospital staff and slapped his young son.  Her younger sisters were very upset about what she'd done to herself and were afraid to sit in the ER with that man cursing.

Vicky never so much as said "I'm sorry you were worried," or "I know you must've been worried."  She barely acknowledged her sisters.  She had her fake story made up (and she stuck to it even when holes were poked in it) as to where she'd been, so she could protect the ID of the guy, so she can run there again - IMO.

This is not our first trip to an emergency room hospital after she's run.   Not by a long shot.  This was the worst however.

I told her "I love you, but I will never put your sisters through this again.  They will never sit in an ER waiting room while you drag things out by refusing to answer medical questions and tell your lies."  I told her from now on, when we get a call that you've run, we're going to let residence staff handle it and we're going to keep that info from the younger girls.  I told  her "I love you and will pray for you, but from now on, if you run, it will be residence staff looking for you and handling thngs."

I remained calm throughout, speaking very softly - yet my voice is hoarse from stress.  I sound as if I had been screaming all day yesterday.

Again.  Thx to everyone for your prayers.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate them. 

 

I thought I put this up this morning, but must not have hit send.  Guess I was a mess.

My daughter Vicky has lost it again, after 6 weeks of really good behavior.

 Vicky (age 14) is missing.  She ran away from the community residence where she live with another girl  (15) yesterday just before 4 pm.  The other girl has severe psychiatric problems (and when she returns will most likely be hospitalized).  So, they're not a very stable duo. 

Vicky has run away before, but usually comes back when she gets hungry.  She ran once from the residence to a girlfriend's house and phoned staff at the residence to say she was alright (but would not disclose her location) and stayed out over night.  She showed up the next day for breakfast.  Not to show up for food or not to call is not her pattern. 

The police have been called in and we've learned that another girl didn't come to school today -- the special school they all go to for problem children.  Kids at the residence finally came forward saying this other girl had plans to meet up with the two.  So, there are three girls out there.  They're running around in a very bad neighborhood - Crown Heights, Brooklyn...usually pretty safe during the day, but after midnight, on certain blocks, no way.

It's now 36 hours they're gone.  I'm still up hoping I'll get a positive phone call.  Not yet.  None of the families have heard from any of the girls and the residence has not heard.  The concensus is that either they've voluntarily joined a gang and intend not to come back, or they've encountered foul play.

Please pray for the gilrs, their families, and the girls in the residence who are very worried about them, and the boys and gilrs in the special school who are likewise worried about their friends.  Thx.  

Pamela - You cleaned a closet!!!  Yikes.  Perish the thought!  LOL

Ellen - Glad to meet you.

It's great that you're enjoying LIS. 

 

StephN - I read some serial killer books, but when the author starts really detailing the pathology, explicitly so, I put the book down.  I'll usually take a serial killer book from the library, cause I might not finish it.  The truth is, in real life, serial killers are truly demented people.

I also hate it when a secular writer puts in a backstory where the blame is put on a killer's totally stereotypical, harsh, condemning, legalistic Christian upbringing.  I'm sure if I searched I could find one family that is that way...and that one family might produce a killer.  But, that is not representative of Christian families, and these book imply that it is.

The actualy truth is that the vast, vast majority of killers don't come from a Christian background, legalistic or otherwise.  Most killers come from totally godless, drug infested homes where child abuse is rampant.

 

My toughts keep going back to the discussion on irredeemable characters.

The ones that get to me are the flawed ones, even deeply flawed characters, but who are using bad behavior to cover a soft spot that's been hurt waaay too many times.

I also like grumpy characters who bring some comic relief. 

Of course I truly believe that God can redeem anyone.  It's really sad when in real life (even in fiction) people choose not to let Jesus in.

Janet - Just finished your Dry Creek Sweethearts.  Was very taken with your characters: Linda and Duane.  You so convincingly got into the head of a celebrity male, making me believe his quite ordinary thoughts and also his longings.

Camy - I'd definitely purchase your LI novel...in a heartbeat...whether it be snarky chic lit or a luuuvely romance.

 

Dream - I know I'm not going to make my July 31st goal.

With the sage advise of Margaret and the loyal and pretty much daily help of Julia as a crit partner, I've been doing extensive rewrites.  A July 31st goal is not even remotely realistic.  But I'd rather have an ms that has a shot at selling than one that's done, but sure to be rejected.

I don't even want to put submission into the goal at this point.  I'm going to have to go with a decent finished ms by Aug 31.  Thx for bearing w/me.