I was followed today. Scared like never before, and trying to shop. Yep, simply grocery shopping. It wasn't even full fledged shopping. I had a few things to pick up. The grandbabies needed more milk and why not get a few more things?
It was a day like many before. Early morning start to work and ending back on my side of the world 12 hours later. Long days sometimes mean that I am staring blankly into the abyss while working through the end of the day tasks.
Starting off like normal, I head to the milk and get a text that the babies want cookies. Any great Nana will be sure those babies get what they want. It is part of the fun of having grands. While picking up those cookies (luckily they were on the end of an isle) I was approached. At first it was innocent. How do you use the app? I want to clip that coupon. Can you help me? What was strange, when I looked down his phone was on meat, not cookies.
I was nice but frankly stated how easy the process was after he was able to get signed in. Then I made a b-line down the next isle. I didn’t feel right, so I headed out to the checkout. All the while, I had believed that I was watching around me to make sure I wasn't being followed. I was NOT leaving if he was following me, that was for sure. I had believed that I was safe at the checkout, but as I grabbed my small cart and looked up, there he was. Asking the attendant the same exact question that I had been asked.
To say that I RAN to the car was an understatement. As soon as I pushed the cart into the return aisle (one spot away) I saw him staring at me from the door, then turning to go back into the store. It was almost as if he didn't have time to get to me. I high tailed it out of there.
Now, I sit here at home where I should feel safe. I have checked the doors multiple times to be sure they were locked. I have checked the cameras. I have my dogs with me. I am not sleeping. What keeps running through my head is that Tik Tok trend that was going viral recently. You probably know, but in case not, it was all about asking a woman who they would rather be left in the woods with…a Man or a Bear?
It really was an interesting trend. Trust me, I fully understand that not all men are bad. I have a husband that would protect me to death and friends at work that I would like to think would do the same. However, I have also been part of a family unit that was touched by such nastiness and past incidents that made me feel uncomfortable.
With that said, I was not surprised by the answer that most women gave. It was always the Bear that I heard chosen. Why so? Well I think some of it is the unknown. We know the bear will either attack or run. What we do not know is what the Man could do.
And now, I lay here thinking about this trend and I too have my answer. Terrified doesn't even begin to explain how I felt and how I will feel for some time. I am saddened at this feeling, but today I know my answer.