He met her at a modern day arcade gallery. The place was massive, twelve movie theater screens, eight bowling lanes, mini golf, go-karts, and more arcade games than should be reasonably allowed in one place. He was there with his brother and his kids. After the fourth Spongebob basketball game, he just had to get away.
The bar was tucked back in a corner behind the bowling alley and the dartboards. That’s where he found himself, at least for a couple drinks and a little peace and quiet.
Even though she was a few years older, he was instantly attracted. Another drink and he would go talk to her. She was there with her teenage daughter and her friends, the father was out of the picture. They walked around a bit and chatted. She lost her job a few days back but didn’t have the heart to tell her daughter. Instead, she kept feeding her money for games in an attempt to pretend nothing was wrong. Soon, he started feeding her money too.
They went back to her place that night for a couple more drinks, and then for something a little extra. This went on for months. She ran out of money and they became dependent on him. Though they lived apart, he paid all the bills and even gave them spending-money through the week.
It wasn’t long until he began feeling like they were taking advantage of him. He decided to end the relationship, the money they went through was no small sum.
A week later, he was arrested, though he didn’t understand why. He was charged with sex trafficking, having forced relations with someone underage, and a host of other charges.
The full story emerged as the case went on. She told the authorities that he had seduced her but as time went on he became emotionally abusive. She said he forced her to quit work and stay at home and then forced her and her daughter to have sex with him. She went on to say that he would invite his friends over to do the same. If they didn’t, they would lose everything and be forced to live on the streets.
The evidence was mostly word of mouth and a convincing story but there was just enough to falsely convict him. They kept receipts where he paid for rent, and on several checks he wrote “spending allowance”, implying that they were wholly dependent on him.
The truth was much simpler, he cared about her and her daughter and wanted to build a family. That is, until he learned how manipulative they were. He didn’t see it, but she was using him for money. He wasn’t allowed to live with them but could only see them when her daughter was free. When he said he was leaving, she threatened him, saying she wouldn’t let him go without consequences.
He never imagined anything like this would happen, and definitely did not prepare for it. For her, that’s how she had made a living ever since her first husband left her. She used every guy she could and then discarded them when it was over.
The small town court where he was tried found him guilty, despite the flimsy evidence. Now, he’ll be spending the next couple decades in a cell with no hope for early release.
