UNDER THE MAINE SUN

THE ANNUAL BAT

June passed and there was no sign of the annual bat. I had my frog net outside the back door, ready just in case. The last time Steve my contractor was here, he was certain he had plugged every possible entrance or exit for the bats. When May came, I knew they were back in the attic by the trail they left and certain rustling noises, but hoped that the one lone bat who managed to come into my living area once every year, would not make it this year.

Last evening, July 5th, I was sitting in my TV room watching "Indochine" with Catherine Deneuve on DVD, trying to redevelop my ear for French. About halfway through, the annual bat made his or her entrance, swooped leisurely in, circled, and swooped out again into the living room, then soared gracefully into the kitchen.

By that time, I had paused my movie and retrieved my frog net from outside. I entered the kitchen just in time to see the bat settle on a framed embroidery on the wall at the far end of the kitchen, just outside my little office. The cats were looking on with great interest and followed me as I moved stealthily toward the bat. The bat obliged by crawling well into the net once he was covered. Last year I learned my lesson after having gotten a bat almost out the back door when he climbed out and flew back into the kitchen. This time, I grabbed a handy magazine and clapped it over the top of the net, trapping the bat safely inside. Thus I carried him out the back door to freedom. It took him a few seconds to get with the program and climb out and away, but he finally did.

Breathing a sign of relief I returned to my movie. He might make the mistake again tonight, but they usually learn pretty fast.

Jean, Somewhere in Maine

JUST RESOLUTION

We felt a little guilty -- just a little -- but for the life of us we couldn't work up any sympathy or compassion.  After all, she had shown none to Laura with her relentless persecution.

I heard the news first. I was standing outside the front door of my house contemplating climbing the ladder I had place in front of it in order to scrape peeling paint before priming and repainting it. I saw a woman walking down the road in my direction with a small dog on a leash. It looked like Goneral's dog, but it wasn't Goneral. I decided to ignore her.

I gingerly climbed the ladder and began scraping. After a minute I heard a voice behind me. "She's fascinated by what you're doing." I turned to look at the source. The woman was standing on the road and the little dog was watching me. The woman looked like Goneral but it definitely wasn't her. I made some short reply.

JUSTICE MISCARRIED

Shortly after Jane Austen meets her would-be husband in "Becoming Jane," she is commenting on how honorable a profession it is to be a lawyer and uphold justice, and he replies, "Law has nothing to do with justice."

I should have remembered that before becoming so hopeful about Monday's court date.

There was no justice about it. The judge's tone at the outset reflected her annoyance at having to hear the case at all. Goneral and her husband, with their reams of notes, were called forward as was Laura. We were all there, eagerly awaiting our turn to speak.

TURNING TIDE

The Rat People are on the run. Their behavior has become more furtive in the last week since court and Laura's refusal of Goneral's "deal." How arrogant Goneral was to think Laura would just accept the gift of a reduction of a year in the protection order request. That would be the same as an admission of guilt for all that has gone before.

Laura spent an afternoon in town last week hobnobbing with some of her old friends at the Co-op. The news was that Goneral only ended up working at the Belfast Center for two weeks before quitting. They said it was obvious to everyone there that she had deep emotional problems and people were wary of her.

Laura also said that she has noticed a difference in the behavior of both Goneral and her husband during this past week. They seem less sure of themselves as they dash in and out of their house, glancing more guiltily over at her place. The sense that they just might not win is creeping in.

Our arsenal grows as my daughter Sarah adds her piece to the pile. She has written her statement as to her own observations of what happened on December 24th when she drove Laura to the Belfast Center to pick up Laura's food basket. It clearly shows that Laura had no intent to stalk Goneral as Goneral claims.

As Goneral shows signs of increasing weakness, Laura grows stronger. Her stomach churns less and her manner becomes more confident. The court has seen us often enough now to realize that Laura has a good core group of supporters who are not only credible but consistent.

Victory is in sight.

Jean, Somewhere in Maine 

COURT POSTPONED. DRAT!

We were ready. We were wearing our blue war paint (figuratively speaking). (Reference "Braveheart.") I had written a lengthy statement and had made notes on an index card for the points I wanted to bring up when I got to say my piece at long last. The support team was assembled.

Laura's was the first case to be called. It seems that Goneral had notified the court that an agreement had been reached that Laura would plead guilty and that there would be just a one-year protection order.  If Laura behaved herself during that year, the matter would be dropped.

No dice. It's too late for any deals now. Besides, Laura isn't guilty so why should she accept such an offer. Laura bravely stood and told the judge she would not consider such a deal. I sat shaking my head in agreement.

Unfortunately, that threw a monkey-wrench into the plan for the court schedule for today and Laura's case could not be heard. We would have to go to the Clerk's office to get a date for a continuance. Of course, we had to wait until Goneral and her husband had cleared that office so that we would not have to have any contact with them.

So now it will be heard in April. Jen, the case manager, can't be there on the date they gave us, so Laura will have to ask for yet another continuance. The good news is that I was able to drop off my lengthy typed statement for the court while we were there, so at least there is now something positive on record on Laura's behalf. I hope Goneral is starting to get nervous, getting an inkling that the tide might turn.

Jean, Somewhere in Maine

LAURA'S DAY IN COURT - TOMORROW

Tomorrow is the day we go to court to prevent a renewal of Goneral's Protection from Harassment order. Our ducks are in order and we are ready. If the court operates in all fairness, and gives us our say, we will succeed. The complaint is so clearly based on assumptions and misinformation.

Even if we win tomorrow -- which we should -- it is not the end. Laura is still on probation for calling Goneral a f...ing bitch (in front of the trooper) although she spent her jail time. The jail time can't be removed. It happened.

And then we have a trial at some future date for a charge of which Laura hasn't even been given the details. Hard to prepare a defense when you don't know the charge.

I don't know if the whole original PFH can be thrown out -- but it should be -- and that would erase the current probation time (and ensuing costs to courts and taxpayers). Fines that Laura has paid thus far should be reimbursed to her. Again, jail time spent can't be recalled.

Winning tomorrow will hopefully open the door to erasing whatever is possible of the old charges. Will the court then recognize the wisdom of the old adage, "A stitch in time saves nine?" If the state police had done a proper job of investigating this case when Goneral made her first complaint, if they had asked any of us who knew the circumstances surrounding that complaint, things would never have come to such a pass.

I'll update you tomorrow, dear readers, after Laura's day in court.

Jean, Somewhere in Maine

OUT OF JAIL!

The phone rang early this afternoon. I recognized Laura's number from the caller ID. She wasn't due out of jail for two more days and I knew she wouldn't be allowed to have her cell phone in jail. I answered it.

It was her. She was out. She told me that they couldn't afford to keep so many people in jail on such minor charges so they let some of them, including her, out early. She walked about a mile over to the office where her DHS driver works and waited for her to come in. She then got to do some of her errands before being brought home.

The icing on the cake was that soon after she arrived home, she saw Goneral's house-call-making therapist drive up across the street. We figured Goneral must be having a melt-down that Laura's out two days before expected.

Apparently there was a different cast of characters at the jail this time around and cases were discussed and advice offered. She said even the guards were nicer and offered their advice. I suggested she meet with Jen, her case manager, before acting on any of it.

I'll get the blow-by-blow this evening. Laura's coming for dinner for left-over curry.

Jean, Somewhere in Maine 

HARASSMENT - GONERAL'S MOTION FOR TEMPORARY ORDER

Is it just me? I would like my readers' opinions about this situation. Please let me know if you think this case is a waste of the taxpayers' money and the time of all concerned. Presented below is Goneral's complaint against Laura, in her own words. These are two ladies with documented emotional issues as evidenced by the fact that both see therapists/counsellors as they have told me. Both live on disability.

First, a brief background for the late arrivals to save wading through earlier blogs to get the back story. It began a year and a half ago in September over a rat on a woodpile. Goneral (not her real name) blamed her neighbor Laura, unsuccessfully pressured her to use poison, and called a Town Meeting against her. The meeting did not have the desired effect and in fact, gained public sympathy for Laura's general plight. Goneral lost face and guilt might have made her nervous that Laura would retaliate for the embarrassment she had been caused.

LAURA GOES TO JAIL AND THE TAXPAYERS FOOT THE BILL

Tomorrow morning at 8:00 am Laura must present herself at the Belfast jail for a five-day stay at the "resort," as she calls it. 

Granted, she should not have called Goneral a name, or indeed have even spoken to her, nor even grunted in her direction with a Protection from Harassment (no matter how falsely grounded) in force. But I for one resent having to support this folly with my tax dollars. Even if Laura were to be forced to pay a fine, as she is supported by our tax dollars, who would ultimately be paying it?

When it comes to someone who is truly dengerous to society -- to either life or property -- then paying for his jail time would be part of the price of living in a relatively free and safe society. But in this instance, the situation is an expensive farce.

It will ultimately be proven that no Protection from Harassment was necessary to begin with and should never have been allowed by the court. But that will not erase the frequent little travesties that are occuring as we march toward that goal.

When Laura returns home, we'll get a blow-by-blow of her experience there. From what she has told me and from what I've heard elsewhere, it can be dangerous for anyone who is not part of the "in" crowd (frequent flyers).

Laura has informed me that she has found someone to care for her dogs during her absence so at least they're covered. 

More on this to follow.

Jean, Somewhere in Maine 

NEIGHBORS - GONERAL KEEPS THE PRESSURE UP

Last evening Laura called me to let me know that the jury trial won't be until June. Of course, this is ridiculous to have a jury trial over something so trivial.  Remember that it all began with a rat on a woodpile.

Laura went on to tell me that she spoke with her case manager, Jen, from the Department of Human Services who told her that Goneral called her. Jen was shocked when she realized who it was, but quickly regained her wits and told her that some people on Dickey Mill Road need to mind their own business.  Goneral hung up on Jen.

To go or not to go -- Laura wants me, Jen and Richard to go to the District Attorney to tell him what's really going on. If it turns out that such a move would not only be helpful but would be allowed, I will be happy to do it. This has to stop somewhere and Goneral obviously is going to try to keep it up for as long as she can.