Trust your instincts when dealing with strangers.

If someone would have asked when I was much younger, what I would do if ever faced with an abusive relationship...I am certain my response would have been something like this:
Never, I would not allow someone to treat me in any abusive manner and I would get out of the relationship quickly, never to look back.
However, I found myself in such a relationship at one time and now, shake my head at the actual manner of behavior that I tolerated from that relationship.
Always remember to pay close attention to first impressions. They do mean more than we sometimes give them credit. At least it did for me in that situation. My first thought of Stephen Stanko was "shady", "shifty eyes" and a "player".  At the time, I was a manager of a small communications store and recall my assistant manager asking what I thought of this guy. She continued on to say, "I think he is crushing on you"..."I think he is interested!" I told her instantly, that I was NOT interested.  I repeated the same character perceptions that I mentioned above as my first impression.
I put it out of my mind and carried on at work.
Well, as it were this guy was a new-hire sales rep that worked in the corporate office of the company which owned this store. So...he made his way back to the store too often. He convinced his manager and the owner to allow him to "train" the sales staff in the retail venue.  Wouldn't you know...that meant spending more time at the store.
I must say that I stuck to my guns for quite a while and stayed back from his obvious play to get to know me and avoided his flirtations. He was persistent. That persistence would become a trait that eventually played out in my life with serious consequences.
Don't believe everything you see. Don't believe everything you read. Just believe in your gut instincts...they are meant to protect you.
Now, I replay all the times this man was part of my life and shake my head in confusion. Hindsight is indeed 20/20.
I hope you will subscribe, stay tuned and learn more about these predator types that have a reason for everything they do, all that they say and their persistence can be predatory and not at all admiration or affection.  In my case, I believe I was a target.
Find out a little bit here...https://www.amazon.com/Watch-Mommy-Die-Michael-Benson/dp/0786024992
If you have been in an abusive relationship or know someone who has or is involved in such, please comment and add to the exposure to Stop Violence!