Shanghaied

Hey, It’s Teresa; as you may already know I’m 27 years old and I’m a single mommy from Rolla, Missouri. My son Jaxon’s father ditched us when he was only 3 weeks old. I’d habitually accuse him of cheating on me with you. Nonetheless, he would always deny and refute, then hug me, and gently kiss and caress me. I’d always believe him, always, he just had a certain charm and swagger to his demeanor.

Richard and I first met in high school; Ms.Taylor’s drama class to be exact, and I’ll never forget it. On the first day, 28 students were in her class, 14 boys, 14 girls. Each girl had to randomly select a boys name out of an aged silver fun-sized bucket , Of course I chose ——

Of course.

I chose Richard Etienne.

Ms.Taylor wanted each couple to create and act out a drama filled-monologue that was heart felt and meaningful. The winner out of the fourteen groups received a Pizza party and free movie tickets to watch “Master of Masters”, some boring fucking movie no one wanted to see. Long story short, we ended up losing the competition, but I won a new friend in Richard; or so I thought.

I was 16 then, and we were absolutely inseparable. We went everywhere and did everything together. He was my fucking ride-or-die. We loved hard and fast. So much so, one year later I was pregnant with his child, forcing me to drop out of high-school in my senior year. Nearly 10 months after that, he left me and our newborn to be with you and yours.

Jaxon is now nine years old, and he’s my absolute everything. My mom and Dad live in Texas, so they barely get to see Jaxon unless we FaceTime or WhatsApp video call every now and then; but his grandparents love him just as much. He’s the most adorable innocent kid you’ll ever encounter.

I’m writing this letter with tears trickling down my cheek bones hysterically, I just came back from the Rolla Police Department to report my son Jaxon was kidnapped earlier this morning at around 10 A.M, it’s now 9 P.M; and he’s still missing. There’s currently a large police manhunt for him as I type this out, I kindly ask if you can tune into the news if you haven’t already.

If you have my son, Justina, please, I’m fucking begging you with every vessel in my body, don’t harm him, because if you do, you’ll be punished in the worst way by the judicial system, this is not a threat.

I know you already killed Richard, or you set him up. Because Richard would have never died like that, it’s been 3 years and it still haunts me to know that you were never convicted much less accused of his murder.

You might’ve won by taking Richard’s love away from me, but I will rather consume a gallon of fentanyl submerged with toxic bleach before I allow you to take Jaxon away from me. Again, If you have my son, Justina, please return him home safely.

I’ve already informed the police you were the sole person in this city who I considered an enemy. Before Richard died, he told me how badly you wanted Jaxon and your daughter to have that sibling relationship, so there’s plenty of motive. They might be half-siblings but that will never be his real sister, you funky slut-whore bitch.

“How does this look, should I click send?” Teresa hysterically asks her best friend Paula before posting the message publicly on Justina’s Facebook wall.

Teresa and Paula have been best friends since middle school, Paula always had Teresa’s back through thick and thin, and vice-versa. They’re each others only friend, and they only trust one another.

“Yes, send it now, fuck that bitch, it was her 110%.” Paula reassures.

“But what if it’s the wrong assumption Paula, help me out I’m freaking out!” Teresa intervenes.

“Teresa, the police already said, they canvassed her home; no one was there. Her car was gone, her daughter was gone, she obviously took Jaxson and she’s running away with him and her daughter.” Paula shouts.

“Aside from me, she’s the only one who knew where you live; because of Richard. She did this shit, I promise you. Jaxon didn’t run away from home or anything like that, he was kidnapped!” Paula added.

That’s all it took, Paula convinced Teresa to post the lengthy Facebook message on Justina’s Facebook wall. The police were already actively looking for a White Suzuki belonging to Justina with a license plate that read “2Hot4U”, and not just the Ralla Police but everyone in Missouri and the surrounding States. The Missouri Mayor had issued out a state wide amber alert that pinged on every residents mobile phone, alerting them of this heinous crime.

Several officers are outside patrolling Teresa’s home just to make sure she’s in one piece. Her and Paula are the only occupants in the home, as they await some sort of good news from this traumatic experience.

“What’s that?” Paula says as she points to a facebook notification on Teresa’s laptop.

“There’s a private message, click it” she adds.

The message reads:

Hey, Teresa. I don’t appreciate you posting that message on my Facebook wall when you could’ve easily private messaged me.

Yes, I have your son. Yes, I’ve watched the news. Yes, I’m well aware of what’s going on.

But do you have any idea, how many nights my daughter has cried herself to sleep since losing her father? Do you have any idea? She comes running to me begging and pleading for her dad to come back. He was a great man Teresa, just because he left you for me, doesn’t mean he was a dead beat or a terrible person.

My daughter needs a family, so Jaxon is her family now. They are currently together, playing and getting along perfectly fine. And honestly, It’s been a long time coming, as this was Richards last dying wish. He yearned to see his two kids getting along, and I’m proud to say that I made it happen. He’s looking over us smiling from to cheek to cheek as I type this message to you.

Why don’t you tell the police what Jaxon told me? How you beat him when he messes up because he reminds you of you his dad. Hurt people hurt people, Teresa. And you my friend, need some healing. You’ve never gotten over the fact that Richard didn’t love you anymore, so you harmed poor Jaxon over the years to let out your anger; maybe you thought having a kid messed up the relationship. You know, considering you were fat & paunchy during your pregnancy. Yeah, Richard told me you guys didn’t have Pregnant-sex, sucks, because, you know, I just can’t relate.

Also Teresa, I didn’t kidnap Jaxon. I gave him a phone three weeks ago. After I visited his school with Jasmine, his only sister and introduced them them to one another. I homeschool her, so she doesn’t meet much people, I thought it was a decent way to break the ice between them. Your 9 year old son is great at two things; keeping secrets and texting back. Yup, he has Richards sly and genius traits.

I know the police won’t believe me, and that they’ll probably arrest me anyways. No worries though, as we’re no longer in the country anymore. I know you’ll show them this or post it publicly, so I’ll be the first to let you know; do me this one favor. Grab that little black book that Jaxon says you keep on your left night-table in your bedroom, and write me a check for $20,000. Or you will be punished by the judicial system in the worst way, trust me, this isn’t a threat either. You have 2 weeks, until then, we’ll be eating pizza and binge-watching “Master of Masters”, goodbye you sad beluga whale bitch.

“Show this to the fucking police right now.” Paula yells.

“No.” Teresa whispers distraught.

“Are you fucki— post it publicly then.” Paula demands.

“No. That’s even worst.”

“Just grab my check book in the room for me, Paula please.”

Teresa whispers again with a terrified, distraught look whilst producing dry tears.

Teresa didn’t want to show the police or post this private message publicly, because it would expose a lot of things. Things she didn’t want to be revealed, things she felt guilty of. Now, she can’t help but think Jaxon might’ve left willingly after being influenced by Justina.

“She’s pure evil.”

“First she took my man.”

“Then she influenced my son, then took him too.”

“Now she wants to take my money, and my life.”

“Okay, okay, no problem Justina, I’m going to write you a check for $20,000. but you’ll be arrested before you can ever cash it.”

Teresa spoke to herself staring blankly into space with a dazed look.

Paula just stares at her like Laura Mars, wondering why she’s not going to the police with this new information. Confused, Paula starts to insinuate the obvious; which is guilt. Or maybe, she’s protecting Jaxon, it’s definitely one of the two, or possibly both.

Teresa writes the check for $20,000. Then writes Justina back with the following message:

Hey Justina, maybe we got off on the wrong foot. I promise, I won’t go the police with your message nor will I post it publicly. I’ve wrote you a check for $20,000 and attached it as a picture, front and back, so you can upload it via your mobile phone.

All I ask is just please, please don’t harm my son. I haven’t been the greatest mother, but certainly I’m far from the worst. I would do absolutely anything for my son, and I would do anything for him to be back. I beg you, once the check clears, kindly return my son back to me. I’ll tell the police this is all a misunderstanding and that you’re not the one they should be searching for.

Please tell Jaxon his mom misses him, and that I love him very much. I’m hoping I can receive a phone call to confirm his safety? And I hope we can put this all behind us, Justina, I know you’re a great person at heart.

“Send it.” Paula reassures without asking questions.

“Yeah.” Teresa replies.

After four minutes of sending the message, Justina replies quickly with the following:

I’ve deposited the check through my banking app, I’ll let you know when it clears, if it does. Jaxon doesn’t want to speak on the phone right now, but I’ll update you within the coming days.

Three days pass, and police still have no new leads regarding her sons kidnapping. Teresa, didn’t inform detectives of anything, and hasn’t really been that co-operative ever since those few messages from Justina. Paula had taken days off from work and been sleeping over Teresa’s house to keep her company and comfort during these rough times.

Interestingly, on the fourth day after the kidnapping, Teresa opens up her laptop early in the morning and notices a Facebook message.

“Paula, she messaged back, let’s see what she said.” Teresa shouts to Paula who’s across the room.

Justina’s last message to Teresa stated:

Hey Teresa, so, great news and bad news. The great news is the check has cleared and your son is healthy and happy, I’ve uploaded videos and pictures of him and Jasmine playing recently, so you can see just how joyful he’s been. The bad news is, I’ll need another $20,000. I don’t know how you’ll get it, but I’ll give you about a month or so. Talk soon.

Love, Justina & Richard. <3