Starry called me this evening. I typically don't answer when she calls anymore, but she couldn't reach DH. She only calls me when she can't reach him first. 

Something inside compelled me to answer this call. She asked me if DH and I were busy this evening. She sounded flustered. Then she told me that her little sister (who is almost 19) called her "bawling her eyes out" and said that their stepdad died of a heart attack. 

He was 47.

Apparently, he was out fishing and called Luciferette to say that he wasn't feeling well and was going to go home. He was able to hook the boat back up but never made it home. Someone found him dead in his truck. 

The saddest part of the story is that his youngest daughter, who is 18, was the only one close by. She had to go and ID the body and drive her dad's truck back to his house. Of course, Luciferette was not at home. She is here visiting her parents. She and her hubby live in Florida.

Starry needed someone to watch the kids while she and Preach went over to her grandparents' house to comfort her little sister. Starry wanted Preach with her because she didn't want her mom trying to manipulate this situation or make her feel guilty for pretty much being no contact. She keeps her kids away from her mother and won't let Luciferette see them. 

DH works early in the morning, so he didn't go. It was just me. I spent a few hours with BigBrother5 while he played video games before his bedtime. LittleSister2 was already asleep. 

The whole situtation is complicated and messy. Starry HATED her stepdad. She told me she didn't feel bad about him dying because he had "traumatized her." I get it. I had similar feelings about my own father when he died. Getting that news felt like I had just been told that a stranger died. 

Anyway, Starry also said that she "was thinking crime show" in regards to this death, meaning she thinks maybe her mother had something to do with it. I guess she's already talking about his life insurance policy. The coroner has not officially determined a cause of death yet, so there is a pending investigation, according to Starry. 

How sad. Starry's relationship with her mom is so bad that she suspects that Luciferette might have killed her husband. Again, I get it. I have always thought this woman was capable of murder. 

But I highly doubt that she killed him. He was in poor health and was a heavy smoker and drinker. 

I feel bad for Starry, for her sister and for this man's two daughters. It sucks to lose a parent at any age, but these girls are pretty young. 

I watched the grandkids for a few hours. Starry and Preach got back home about an hour after I put BigBrother5 to bed. Starry's first words were "I need a cigarette!"

She only smokes when she is stressed out. 

She told me the whole evening was really awkward. Her sister's dad showed up there too, and Starry said that Lucifette and this guy was kind of flirty with each other. 

That sounds about right. Luciferette wouldn't ever pass up the chance to get one of her kids' dads back on the hook. 

I found myself saying, "If you need to talk, you can call me anytime."

Sigh. As angry and frustrated as I have often been with her, I always come back to trying to help. Always. 

She seemed appreciative. But I never know if she's being genuine with me.

Ironic. She says the same thing about her mother.