Why People Started Locking Their Doors

Story Submitted by Sheena (on behalf of Theresa):

(Sheena says: "This is from my mom, Theresa.  It may be useful to know that this was in 1979 in a small city where doors were left unlocked, people were asked out by people they'd already met in person, and cell phones didn't exist.")


I was 18 and working as an assistant in a real estate office.  Roger, a handsome real estate agent and seemingly nice guy about seven years older than myself, started sticking around a little longer, made chit-chat with me, and eventually asked me out.  He had been an agent with the company for several years, was always polite and seemed well-liked by everyone, and despite the age difference I accepted his offer.

The first date went well.  The second date went even better.  He was a full on gentleman, complete with picking me up from my house in his car, opening doors, and kissing me goodnight both times.  Since he picked me up and I still lived at home, he even met my family and everyone said that he seemed nice.

During the next work week, Roger mentioned that he was painting his apartment over the following weekend, so I offered to come by and help paint.

We painted all Saturday and had a good time.  He talked about his friends' relationships, how long they'd been together, how they met, and then he said, "My buddy, Jim, has a wife who likes to get whipped with an actual whip."

I replied, "Wow, that's a bit freaky."

He then excused himself, I assumed, to use the washroom.  After a minute, I heard the crack of a whip.  I jumped and turned to see Roger standing behind me, a bullwhip in his hand.

He grinned and said, "Pretty cool, huh?  Jim lent it to me.  Want to try it?"

I stared at him, then asked, "Where's the bathroom? I haven't gone all day."  He pointed it out.  I started down the hall then took off faster than lightning out of that place.  He tried calling a bunch of times that night but I didn't answer.  I had no idea how things would go at work on Monday, but I didn't care.

Turns out, I didn't have to wait until Monday.

The next day, Sunday, early afternoon, I was at home by myself.  My parents, brother, and sister were out doing various things.  I heard a knock at the door and saw through the curtains that it was Roger.

"Theresa?" he called out.  I decided to ignore him, then turned and headed down the hallway.

"Theresa?" he called again, then opened the front door.  I swiftly darted into the bathroom and locked the door.  I heard footsteps and then someone jiggling the handle.

"Theresa?" he asked again.

I disguised my voice and said, "She's not here.  Is that you, Roger?  I'll tell her you stopped by."

A long pause, then he said, "Okay, thanks."  I heard his footsteps, walking away.

Then I heard the front door open and my mom and sister entering.  My mother said, "Hi, Roger!  Are you and Theresa heading out?"  I hadn't yet told her about the whip incident.

Roger replied, "No.  I thought she wasn't here."

My mother said, "I think she is," then yelled for me, "Theresa?  Where are you?"

I let her into the bathroom and spilled the beans about everything immediately.  She listened, nodded her head, then left the bathroom.  She walked back to Roger and said to him, "Theresa doesn't want to see you anymore, now leave her alone."

He left our house immediately, and he quit the agency shortly thereafter.  We never spoke again.