The Babysitter, Liza Rodman, Jennifer Jordan authors; Andi Arndt, Aida Reluzco, narrators
The story of Anton (Tony) Costa’s life of crime is not the only story writ large on the page. Although the book is pitched as the story of a serial killer on Cape Cod, decades ago, paralleling his story, is the story of the author, Liza Rodman, whose mother actually often hired this killer as her babysitter. No one knew he was a murderer for a long time. He was described as charismatic and charming by most people. Young girls adored him and he was somewhat of a lady’s man.
Although Liza’s mother Betty was a trained home economics teacher, she wanted to live in Provincetown. She quit her teaching job, and they moved there. She worked as a maid for her sister-in-law in her motel. When she was able, she bought her own small “summer retreat” across the street and managed it herself. Both she and her sister-in-law Joan often hired Tony to help them. Tony was a good looking and well mannered young man on the surface, who knew how to charm people. He did odd jobs as he was never able to hold down a permanent job. He always seemed to grow disappointed and disillusioned with his situation which meant he was often available and in need of work.
Liza grew to look forward to being with Tony, who was kinder to her than her own mother. Liza’s mother resented her and wanted more freedom. She wanted to find a man who could keep her in a style far better than the one she was enjoying. She had many boyfriends. Tony Costa was happy to take Liza and her sister Louisa with him. He would entertain them for hours as he drove them around while he did his errands. He bought them ice cream and made Liza feel wanted.
Tony was promiscuous and somewhat of a lady’s man. Young, handsome and well mannered, externally he seemed to be something quite different than the troubled man he was inside. From early in life, he exhibited the profile of a serial killer, enjoying mutilating animals, though he believed he was engaging in taxidermy. His mother adored him excessively, but he was jealous and resented any relationship she had that was not with him. Cecilia had many boyfriends. He had many girlfriends. When one, Avis, became pregnant by design, they married. She was only 14, and he was not quite 18, but he thought she was his center. When they had a sex life, however, it turned violent. She eventually had three children with him, but he grew too abusive, and eventually, she divorced him.
Beneath the self-assured exterior Tony cultivated, he was disturbed and insecure. He was often depressed and in distress, possibly made worse by his excessive use of too many drugs, coupled with the suspicion of other abuse, physical, sexual and emotional, during his childhood. He was also overwhelmed by his sense of loss because his father was not present in his life. Unfortunately, his father, a soldier, died while trying to rescue another soldier, before Anton was born, and there was no way to fix that problem. Anton always felt his absence with an exaggerated sense of loss. He went to an unscrupulous doctor for help. This doctor operated what today would be called a pill mill.
So, there are two parallel reveals in this book. Although separated in age by several years, both Anton and Liza have come from similar backgrounds of need and dysfunction. Both Anton and Liza were unhappy as children. Both felt that something was missing from their lives. Both feel neglected and abandoned. Both resent a sibling. Both had a parent that was poor at parenting. Both came from homes with only one parent, although one was a widow and the other a divorcee. Both have promiscuous parents. Both have parents unhappy with their lives. Both missed their fathers. Both carried the name of a parent. Both were physically and emotionally abused in some way. Both were accused of sexual deviance, though one was a deviant and the other was more naïve and simply exploring life. One understood and actively did engage in wrongdoing; the other did not know why what she did was wrong. Both came from dysfunctional homes. Both sought professional help. What turned one into a monster and the other into a responsible human being? Is a monster made or born that way? Why was one child able to destroy her demons while the other nurtured his.
Although Tony never hurt Liza, she grew up having nightmares and knowing that something might not have been right with him. In this book, she tells his story and her own.