Transitioning from Nichole’s story will be a slow and delicate path. I will certainly keep updating everyone on the trial that has yet to start. Kyle Dube will be indicted next week and we will see if any bail will be set. I highly doubt it will be one that he or anyone in his family will be able to meet. At that time, the public is hoping to see what’s in the affidavit that’s been impounded since his arrest – the details of what he told police and, hopefully, some answers as to what happened that night. The documents were sealed because of the public’s reaction to the case. There is a lot of anger around here and a lot of threats have been made towards Dube. I understand their hatred. What I don’t understand, and frankly find appalling, are the threats being made towards his 4-year-old daughter. She has NOTHING to do with this. Even Nichole’s family has pleaded for the threats to stop.

As some of you know, I have lived in Maine my entire life. I live just a few towns over from where this all happened. I grew up near where Dube was living. The entire state of Maine is like one small town – everyone knows everyone. Rumors are like the air we breathe. We are all neighbors.

That being said, I did not know Nichole. She had mutual friends with my niece and I couldn’t help but think of my niece every time I saw her picture, one of the reasons I got so caught up with her story and wanted so desperately for her to be found safe and sound. I had hoped she had just runaway and was hiding out at some friend’s house, too scared to come out once so many people started looking for her. I wish had gotten to meet her.

Instead, the shock hit me full force when authorities announced that they had made an arrest and Kyle Dube’s photo appeared on my computer screen. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. I can’t even count how many times I had met Dube, spoke with him, sold him parts for his Jeep or his father’s truck. He was a regular customer at the auto parts store where I work – 3 to 4 times a week over the past few years. He would make his purchases and then just hang out and talk shop with everyone. He’d bring in his little girl and we’d all say something silly to her to make her laugh. I had never seen him get angry, even if someone ordered him the wrong part or if something he’d bought was defective. He’d just smile and say, “It’s no big deal.”

I am angry and ashamed. I want to erase the fact that, if my car had broken down on the side of the road and Dube stopped to offer me a ride, I probably would’ve accepted. I want to be able to look at someone and know what kind of person they are. I want to have a conversation with someone and know if they could hurt me or someone I love. With him, I couldn’t. Nichole probably felt the same way. So many others that know him felt the same way. A monster should look like one.

My sweet stepmother said, “Only God knows why some people have evil in their hearts.”

I wish it was easier for the rest of us to see. But we strive to see the good in people, because that’s what we want to see. So that’s what I’ve been trying to do, even if it doesn’t help me understand. I see all the people rallying in support of Nichole’s family and all they’re doing to memorialize and honor her. [Click to see the article.] The Nichole Cable Memorial Fund has been set up at People’s United Bank to help other families of tragedy. There will also be a spaghetti dinner on May 31st to help raise money for the fund, followed by a candle light vigil. A local print store, The Workshop, is making shirts and stickers in Nichole’s memory and donating all the proceeds. Members of the Keep Your Light On For Nichole Cable group on Facebook has been an outpouring of love for Nichole and her loved ones, and we’ve all kept our porch lights for Nichole.

In response to a fellow group member having her dedication image removed due to copyright violation, I created the image below for others to use to write their messages of love to Nichole. Feel free to do so, if you’d like.

Click to Download

As I said, I will be slowly transitioning from Nichole’s story, but will continue to update you when new information is made available. Normalcy will be hard to find around here for a while. Everything that’s happened has been a wake-up call for everyone. PLEASE – educate your loved ones about the dangers of social media. Your “friends list” should only contain people you actually know. Check your privacy settings. DON’T use those check-in features – it tells the whole world where you are and what you’re doing. Turn on your cell phone, go to your Settings and turn OFF your “Location” – it tracks you everywhere you go.  Be mindful of what you post online. And, if someone is acting inappropriately towards you or someone you know, get screen shots (press the “PrtScn” button on your keyboard – usually located near the upper right corner, above the “Insert” key – open a simple “Paint” program, paste, and save) then contact authorities and report them. All of this should be common practice for anyone using the internet to socialize and communicate.

Take care of each other, my friends. And continue to keep Nichole and her loved ones in your hearts.

xoxo

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