This case haunts me because I feel like I almost followed Floyd and Sharon/Suzanne around. I grew up mostly in Ft. Worth, Texas; where Floyd had family. In 1984, I moved to Forest Park, Georgia. The next year we moved to Oklahoma City. I moved around a bunch more, but eventually came back to the OKC area. My best friend's children attended the same elementary where Michael was abducted, although years later. It is odd coincidences, but eerie to me.
When we were in Georgia we lived in an apartment complex. I was home sick from school and a girl from the complex came to the door. I knew the girl's face from around the complex, but I didn't know her well, and I either didn't know her name, or I have forgotten. She was a little older then I was. She practically begged me to let her in to use the phone. She was obviously scared and trying to get away from someone. I shut the door in that girl's face. I was 12 and my parents had taught me to never let anyone in when they weren't home. I always felt guilty about that. It was just one of those moments you regret in life. Why didn't I at least offer to make a phone call for the girl?
Years later I read about the Sharon Marshall story and wondered.... The odds that the girl in trouble was Suzanne are tiny. It does make me wonder though, how many people had a chance to save her? How often was the door closed in her face literally or figuratively. What happened to the girl who knocked on my door that day?
I'm not saying I should have let some girl I barely knew in the house when I was alone. I would have a heart attack if my kids didn't that. However, maybe I should have called the police or at least told my mother what happened. How do we teach kids, and even adults, to offer help but stay safe at the same time? How do we become more aware so men like Floyd can't hide their victims in plain sight?
Also, if anyone can confirm for me that Suzanne and Floyd didn't move to Georgia until the next year, when she graduated from Forest Park High School, I would feel better.
