So this one time...

Redecorating my kitchen as what else does one do when snowed in for weeks at a time, closeted in greyness and white until all color and vivacity fades into some kind of lethargic pause? So I go to Home Depot to get paint and new counter samples. I imagined it was time as the counters have come loose and are 26 years old and dingy, like the winter.

So, the story does get more exciting...

I'm looking around at samples with my purse in the front of the cart next to me. Some guy with bright red short hair and some sort of weird outfit comes up and says, "I couldn't help but notice what a beautiful woman you are." Now perhaps if this guy looked like Clooney, sad to say, I might have responded differently, i confess, but this guy made the hair on the back of my neck stand up immediately, no hesitation. He emitted a very eerie and strange presence, without mistake. I immediately positioned myself away from the counter where I could not have manuevered anywhere...with basket blocking me from him and space to react or flee, one or the other. I did this reflexively and seamlessly and within seconds. I didn't flinch or show fear but looked askance and simply said, "Thank you" in an unmistakably off-handed and get away from me posture and acted as though I was averting my eyes back to the samples.

He came closer and said, "I wondered if you might go to lunch or dinner with me sometime."

Now I'm not happy. I wear my grandmother's wedding ring on my left hand just for this reason, not to be approached by men I don't know...that's one reason. The other is it's sparkly and I like it and it reminds me of my grandmother...but I digress.

I say emphatically, "No, not possible." I put one foot back just in case I need to kick him in a way that will disable him long enough  for me to retreat and quickly take my cart and start moving away.
He moves quickly, stealthily away in the other direction.

I find the nearest employee and tell them some weird red headed man is soliciting women in the store.
"Uh, ok. We'll tell the manager." WHATEVER.

I go to the checkout and tell the woman there. She just says, "oh that's horrible. I'm sorry that happened."

WHAT?

I just look at her. She says, "I'll call a manager."
By this time I have my keys out of my purse and between my fingers and tell her, "If this man pursues me into the parking lot, I'm going to take his face off."
"Ok" she says, looking at me like I'm nuts or something.

Well, sorry folks but I do NOT like someone coming into my personal space and who knows if he wasn't someone double teaming with someone else...etc. etc. Bunch of weird and calculating and scary folks out there.

I made sure I wasn't followed into or out of the parking lot. Sad to say, but it's necessary to watch your own back sometimes in these times.

And I live alone, so.....

I may have to get a CW permit.

Or a cabin far, far away.

This world is off its center folks.

I got your back, got mine?