Last year I wrote this story about those incredible folks who work in school cafeterias and thought what the heck why not share it with you all during this back to school season. It was a heck of a lot of fun to write that story and such a privilege to meet Abigail, Melissa, and Susan.
I’ve always been a curious person, drawn to strangers whose occupation, background, activity I want to know more about. The Stephen King’s Maine book was an opportunity for me to get out on the road and exercise my questioning mind. It gave me permission to essentially knock on people’s doors, go into their homes, and ask all sorts of questions and you know what those amazing souls really opened up. There were secrets told in closed rooms, tears cried about the happiest and worst of times, and in some cases the foundations of friendship were laid. I’m a better person because of that book and those experiences. More self-aware. More grateful.
When turning in the final edits to the publisher I didn’t feel done with the landscape - like I’d only begun to dig into it. To get to know those everyday people whose memories are the building blocks of local histories in a Maine not frequented by tourists. From that feeling I began scratching about reading and having conversations. If you’d told me where I’d land at the end of that searching period with the subject of my second book I’d have said no way. But isn’t life about pushing ourselves - walking right up to the edge. Not in an unhealthy I’m going to experiment with toxic drugs or relationships way, but in a self-discovery way where maybe something good can come from it for someone else.
The fact is I’m really good at research and great at finding people and getting them to talk to me. Not in a nefarious sense like a gossip columnist. Dog with a bone is how people described me with this current project. And that’s pretty darn accurate. I’m transparent with everyone I interview. I promise trust and respect and I keep my promises.
Below is a photo of a young woman who was born and raised in a dirt road town in Maine. Who enjoyed making her friends laugh and picking flowers with her daughter. Who put ketchup on everything, drank coffee all day, loved the Beatles, and had SPUNK by the yard. For her beauty and youth and fearlessness she was taken violently from her family and friends. A human being who life and law enforcement let down. She is the subject of my next book. Who she was, what she left behind, what happened to her, what was done and not and by whom up to and after her demise.
True crime is a tricky beast. It can be consumed greedily as entertainment or ethically with understanding and empathy and the knowledge these are real people. I did my best and look forward to sharing more about her story with you and others.
p.s. HIGHLY recommend this true crime podcast centered on New England stories.
