Human Pinata, or How to Be a "Man."

[Lachrymose]

I followed this thread from the beginning. I gasped in horror as I read the twisted turn of events regarding TD's death.

I just want to say what everyone else has said. Jester, you are a great, kind person who I'm sure anyone would value as a trustworthy, loyal friend. Who could have thought that such a tragedy would have allowed such a positive outcome on your part?

Also, I work for a collection agency (as a programmer, not a collector) and want to make clear that the only way any family members will be responsible for any bills is if their names are on them as well.

This may not stop the businesses or agencies from calling and (unfortunately) using guilt to get them to pay: "Mr. D, you know that paying this bill is the right thing to do.", etc. But they are not legally responsible for any bills.

[Cyphr]

That, and I am too damn stubborn and evil to let bad people like BB ruin MY life.

Jester you rock. I spent the last two days reading all 31 pages nearly continuously. MY condolences for TD. Watching this chain of events is like watching propane train wreck on double tracks - it looks like things might be okay but it turns out much worse than you could ever imagine. I've been planning to come down to The Rock (awesome name btw) for sometime now and if the plans happen I'll personally buy you two your drink of choice.

[Jester]

Thanks. I really do believe in the saying, "That which does not kill me makes me stronger." I have been through worse that affected me more directly, and have only become a better person for it. The only thing that came close to really destroying me was five years ago, when my fiance decided to become my ex-fiance. I survived that, and everything else that Life has thrown at me since. That, and I am too damn stubborn and evil to let bad people like BB ruin MY life.

[Dilorenzo]

Well, I've just read most of this - mostly your replies, Jester - and have to say, you're the goddamn man. You did what you could to help, and when help wasn't needed anymore, you did what you could to make sure she was remembered. And through all of this, you keep saying that folks need to learn from this - a lesser man would have broken down and given up.

So, hey, kudos. Really don't know how to say it any better than that.

[Jester]

And just what about that makes you think you owe anyone an apology?

Other than that your hex against the fucker wasn't far more severe, that is....

[zzapp the witch]

I just found this thread (don't venture here often enough) and I may owe you an apology, because I've already hexed the fucker. (With proper qualifications to keep anything coming back on me). The more attention he seeks, the less he will recieve. The more he makes things about him, the less he will matter to others.....etc.

[karath]

my God...

I cannot remember crying since I was a kid. When I read that TD had died I burst into tears. I read through all 31 pages of the thread, on a little roller coaster with the mood of the posts...and my God, there's really nothing I can say to this.

My previous jokes about the death of my faith in humanity seem pretty shallow now. And it's obvious from other posts here that BB and TD were far from alone in all this.

Jester and Reformedwaitress, you and all your coworkers and friends (and TD's family) are in my prayers, along with everyone who has or is going through this situation.

[Amethyst Hunter]

It's times like these that I find myself AWFULLY tempted to start practicing witchcraft... Methinks BB could use a nice little hexing at the very least.

Trying (and failing) to paint oneself as the victim and then sending the grieving family insult to injury...that takes fucking balls, man. (And not the good kind either)

[Becks]

And today's -a-thon© winner is...

[Saydrah]

Excuse me, I'll have this jaw off your floor in just a minute, sir, it's proving a bit hard to pick up.

[tropicsgoddess]

He isn't the loving person he is claiming to be. Sending her parents her bills? Just beyond the pale.

I don't think BB is fooling anybody with that act of his at all. How can he say he loved her when he did beat the crap out of her and won't at least help out with some the delinquent bills TD had prior to her death?!! Jester, you're not the only one here that sees a HUGE coincidence in the dates BB filed affidavit of indigence and TD's death. I do hope that BB will get what's coming to him, pricks like him make my blood boil!

[Jester]

Update

I found out some stuff today. Some very interesting stuff.

To wit, Big Boy was set to be arraigned in the original battery case on January 30th. He filed an affidavit of indigence (meaning he can't afford an attorney and thus needed a public defender) on January 25th. The case against him was dropped, however, as Tiny Dancer was not able to testify. She was unable to testify, of course, because she had died. On January 24th.

Anyone else think the coincidence of the dates seems a little TOO convenient? Yeah, that is what I and her stepdad think also.

In other news, BB sent TD's family a letter, weeping and moaning about how he loved TD, he adored her, he would never harm her, and he was just trying to protect her from all the lecherous drunks who were trying to take advantage of her. In other words, the people at The Bar who circled the wagons and tried to help her out of the situation she was in before she ended up dead. Which, as it turns out, she did.

The letter in itself isn't so much news, as BB has been spinning this same story from the beginning. What IS interesting is what he included with the letter: TD's delinquent bills, including one of her doctor's bills from when he beat the stuffing out of her in December.

I truly thought there was nothing left that this stain could do that would surprise me.

I was horribly mistaken.

I mean, I get the notion of him not wanting to pay her bills. I get it. But anyone else would have just pitched them in the trash. Why are you sending them to her family? Even if legally they are obligated to pay them as next of kin (and I don't think they are), why would you do that as the loving person you are claiming to be?

The answer is pretty blatantly obvious.

He isn't the loving person he is claiming to be. Sending her parents her bills? Just beyond the pale.

So far as I know, though, the investigation into her death is NOT yet closed. I'll keep y'all posted.

[Eireann]

I think the whole thing is a marvelous tribute to TD, her memory, and what she meant to all of you. You didn't try to turn her into a saint, knowing full well that she wasn't; you collected money for important causes; you didn't even start anything with BB (who showed just how clueless he really is by trying to cry on YOUR shoulder, Jester).

If something were to happen to me, I only hope that my friends would have an event like that in my memory. You're all to be commended for your caring, your devotion, and your determination.

[Jester]

Thanks for all the kind words, folks. I swear, you are going to make me do something I almost never do: blush.

So stop it, damnit!

your too modest Jester really you are.

Why yes. Yes I am.

PS If I'm ever in Florida again I'll pay a visit with the sole intention of buying you sufficient quantities of alcohol to get you drunk for a week!

Now THAT is an absolutely brilliant idea!

[tropicsgoddess]

Jester, you are the definition of a true friend for all the things you've done for TD. People like you really make the world better.