decency with vandalism, and
grievance with rabies.
―Kurt Vonnegut
A Crude Slur
I anticipated a lazy Sunday spent with Autumn. We had plans to go apple picking and then later take advantage of the mild fall day by having a backyard BBQ on my patio.
But what I was not planning was a frantic early morning phone call from Autumn and hearing panic for the first time in her voice.
"Jake, can you came over right away? There's been an incident and I need your support."
"Sure, are you okay?"
"I'm not hurt, just shaken. I texted you my address and I'll show you when you get here."
"Be there as soon as I can." I said briskly, grabbing my keys and heading to the SUV.
Autumn's condo was in downtown Toronto within walking distance of the U of T main campus.
It was a forty minute drive with no traffic on the highways but I made it in half an hour ignoring posted speed limits. My bad.
I entered her building and buzzed her unit on the intercom. She picked up immediately and let me in.
As soon as the elevator doors opened I saw it―her door defaced by a red painted slur―the word Slut crudely spray painted in huge dripping letters.
I saw red all right. My hands balled into fist. I was furious.
Autumn opened the door, a pained look on her face.
"Now you know why I didn't want to tell you over the phone and get you upset on the drive over here."
"I can't believe someone would do this to you―do you have any idea who it was?"
"Probably the same creep who's been bothering me on campus, but I don't know his name and he's not enrolled in the College."
"I think it's time to call the police."
A neighbour opened her door a crack to eavesdrop and then quickly shut it.
"I think it's time for us to go inside," Autumn sighed.
We went inside and Autumn leaned back against the wall, tired and defeated.
"I'll have to phone my father and tell him about the damage."
"Don't do that," I said, "give me a few minutes to get some things and I'll need a pail and some rags, if you have them."
She nodded and I went in search of a hardware store and within half an hour the paint was gone.
"I really appreciate your help, Jake," she whispered as she hugged me tightly.
"I took photos of the vandalism but needed to remove it before it completely dried. I also phoned 51 Division―they're sending a detective to take a statement."
Her eyes got huge, "You phoned the Metro police and not Campus Security?"
"You're not technically on campus and this is a serious threat. It's gone far enough―now this perv is stalking you. It's time to call in the big guns."
"You're right," she conceded. "Well, while we're waiting, have you had breakfast?"
"I can use a coffee and I'm always hungry. I think I'm still growing."
"You're only twenty-eight, and I doubt you're still growing, but I was hoping we could have breakfast together."
"Sounds like a plan, " I laughed.
We had just finished eating when the detective arrived. She looked like Dana Scully on the X Files and had much the same vibe.
Autumn let her in and introduced us both and the detective jotted down our names before tersely replying.
"I'm Gillian Cameron from the Criminal Harassment Unit. I'll be handling the complaint."
She looked around the room and then abruptly asked Autumn, "Do you live here alone?"
The way she said alone made me think she was trying to size up our relationship and that reminded me all the more of that other Gillian of X Files fame.
Autumn was unfazed by the implication. "I do live here alone and Jake and I are dating. Before we met I was being harassed on campus by this guy I never saw before who just started hitting on me."
"And you suspect this 'guy' is the person who painted a slur on your door?"
Autumn nodded. I took that as an opportunity to show the detective the photos I took on my cell phone.
The detective examined the pics and handed me back my phone.
"It might have helped not to disturb the crime scene―we could have dusted for fingerprints, but I can sympathize with your wanting to erase such an ugly message."
"I wish I at least knew the creep's name," Autumn moaned, "all I know is that he's not enrolled in the College, but U of T is a large place and there are several other affiliated Colleges on main campus, so it's kind of hard to track him."
"We'll worry about that aspect. Maybe you can work with a sketch artist and we'll see if we can get a close resemblance."
"I have no idea how he got into the building but he must have painted the message before 7 am because that's when I went out to check my mail in the lobby. I hadn't checked it since last Thursday."
The detective made notes and then turned to me. "If you happen to spot the 'guy,' don't do anything rash―like trying to make a citizens' arrest. Phone us and let us handle it."
I felt she read my mind but as she left I noticed my hands felt cramped and realized I must have subconsciously balled them into a fist as we talked about the perp.
Good advice, I mused to myself, only hope I can follow it.