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Aubrey's Blog

After the ostentatious introductions and the placement of my blog/ link on Axis's website, I proceeded to write about my experiences with the band, with Rafe and with my pregnancy. This consumed much of my early morning time, starting the day after we went to Sepulveda and tried to make peace with Janice.

The beginning of the blog I make all the right apologies for disclosing thoughts of a personal nature, reminding any readers that I was simply an innocent bystander, I had no affiliation with the band, did not speak for the band, make public announcements for the band, or their families, or anyone associated with them. I also had no connection with the professional lives of any of the Mann family.

But my observations and my thoughts, opinions and pictures were mine to do with as I saw fit and if anyone else cared to join me on my journey, they were welcome to.

This said, I started by explaining that Rafe's mother had been antagonistic toward me from the very start because of my religious beliefs.

I determined I did not want to make this a religious discussion, and therefore, other than saying that I followed the religion of my youth, and was committed to Jesus Christ and serving Him, I chose not to get into religious discussions on the blog. This wasn't about religion, it was about me.

And what happened at Janice's came first in my series.

Rafe's Mom's House

We'd gone there, expecting her to be home, perhaps going through her antiques collection. Rafe was semi-sure she'd be there, knowing she didn't work outside the home, but collected and sold her antiques from the privacy of her front room. He half expected Chris and the kids to be there, as he said they were thick as thieves. They weren't there.

There were two strange cars in the driveway, and neither belonged to Rafe's dad. He'd told me he was getting the divorce, rather randomly that night last week, but had not told Rafe. He may not have wanted to burden him at this crazy time in our lives, or maybe he didn't want to get into a discussion neither of them had any time for. We frankly hadn't seen much of him the last few days.

Rafe thought they might be buyers. He unlocked the front door himself and we went inside.

Now, I know he said he wasn't her son anymore, or some such and he definitely hadn't made an effort to reconcile with her the last few months, but I think all children expect that no matter what they say--- mom will always have them back, forgive them, and be the same mom they always were when they were ready to make up.

This wasn't to be. I have pics to prove it. Janice Stryker in the hot tub with not one--- but two older men, one complete with a long gray slinky little braid in his balding pate, and smoking a doobie--- both with beers in hand. The music was loud and obnoxious even for Rafe who likes metal. There was a TV up, close to the hot tub showing a porn flick and it looked as if--- yeah---

Janice was stoned.

She did recognize her son when he pulled the plug on the TV and the stereo, and asked what the f--- she was doing. He ordered the gentlemen out of the pool and when they started to comply--- also stoned and laughing raucously--- he looked like he might just get physical with them.

Janice started crying when she realized her guy friends were leaving--- then she started hitting Rafe--- feebly and with little girl dizziness---

He was not calm. I guess you aren't when it's your sainted mother involved. This sort of bursts all bubbles. I know if I'd found my mother like this I'd have blown a gasket.

At least she was dressed. In a bikini.

I swallowed laughter--- probably giddy laughter, because this was serious and not a time to be laughing.

Rafe had started asking questions, but when no answers were forthcoming, he simply started making assumptions, yelling crazy accusations and finally told her to get dressed, he couldn't talk to her when she looked like that.

He then called his dad. Fred told him the truth--- that he'd been to see Janice about the divorce papers she'd had in her possession for a month, and found her much the same way.

In fact, Fred now confided he himself was out with a nice lady he'd met on LDS Planet.com and he was sorry that Rafe had found his mom this way, but he was busy.

Rafe is not a patient person, nor is he particularly used to finding his parents in such disarray. He called Ben.

Ben told him to leave.

So, he got his mom a sandwich, asked her a few little questions about her life, told her he was sorry for estranging himself from her, and asked her to call him when she'd had some sleep.

End of this entry.

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