On a long drive home this AM, I came up with a revision to my old theory about how this evening progressed.
I am beginning to think that Heather was really no threat to TM's marriage...it was a fling for SM with a stunningly beautiful young girl. But I think he liked his life with TM, was truly a part of her extended family, and loved his kids. I don't think SM was going to leave all that for Heather.
So it ended. But TM, especially when drinking, could not move on. She kept inventing new punishments or tests for SM and he was desperate enough to go along. I think his text to the sister asking what to do...fits with that.
So he lets her handcuff him on bad nights, they leave town for awhile, he turns over his phone to her, his social media. They talk about moving away.
But once home again, and drunk again...TM comes up with a new test. "Take me to where you had sex in the car with HER and send her pix of us having sex." SM goes along. TM cannot stop punishing EITHER of them. And she has to elevate herself in Heathers eyes...be just a desirable. Haven't we seen how she has to always be TOP DOG...even when pathetically, she is NOT?
But on the way home, TM has a new idea. "Call her, tell her to meet you at the Landing...tell her you are leaving me...then I want you to denounce her face to face in front of me."
Or maybe, she even wants to make Heather watch them. Maybe they plan some "restraint."
SM goes along. Anything to placate her.
But Heather says no. Not meeting him. She is tired, unsure. No.
She calls her friend, crying. But quickly, she decides maybe she was hasty. She calls back, no luck. They have left or the pay phone does not ring. Heather stews for awhile and finally tries the cell.
The first time, SM sees it is her....he does not answer. But TM is right there...probably having consumed even more alcohol. It rings again and she demands he answer it and convince Heather to meet them NOW.
He does. Heather rushes to the Landing. The truck pulls up, she hops in. TM is in the back. They speed off.
Where Heather died, I cannot decide. Maybe in that first moment, when TM sees the young beauty who has been her competition....she just throttles her and will not let go. Or maybe she fought the "restraints." TM is a big woman and Heather was very petite. It wouldn't take much.
I think she is near their home. I believe they had the house to themselves that night and had time to make a plan. But I think Heather had to be gone by morning when the kids might come home.
Just my latest theory. But SM is no longer just a lovesick bystander. I am past that.