To my complete joy and surprise, Walmart had every item I needed (in excess), I saw no one I knew, the cashier did not annoy the living hell out of me, and I was able to get in and out (expediently). I was so happy about my conquest that I did not even mind that it started to rain, as I walked out the door, for I had just made Walmart my bitch! I smiled at the Salvation Army lady, shouted "MERRY CHRISTMAS," and walked the 30 feet or so to my vehicle - as I was the very FIRST non-handicap spot. BOO-YAH!! (It is at this point in the story, where I must pause, and give everyone a little backstory on how I operate.)
I live my life how - I believe - all women should live theirs: with full AWARENESS! As you all know (or should if you follow me via this blog or Facebook), my family has been through some rare and tragic events. For this reason, I do not walk around with the "It Could Never Happen to Me" mentality. On the contrary, I live my life KNOWING that it CAN happen, so I should be ever mindful and careful. Please, do not misinterpret. I do not walk around playing the victim role. It is not about BEING a victim. It is about NEVER BECOMING a victim! I am not paranoid. I am not afraid to leave my house. I do not refuse to help others, presuming they will only use and abuse. However, it does mean that I am CONSTANTLY aware of my surroundings. At any given moment, when I am traveling, I can tell you which vehicles are behind me on the interstate AND how long they have been there. If truth be told, I do this same thing - observing the vehicles and people around me - when I go anywhere alone. It is just smart. I am a female - a female who is ALONE. To walk around oblivious to my surroundings is dangerous.
Example: When I was attending UK, my roomie and I decided to drive across the street to get chocolate chip cookie dough (naturally). It was around 9p - late, but not "The Only People Out Late." Being two girls, we were chatting and laughing hysterically the entire time. We made a quick trip in and out, cookie dough in hand, cracking up as we walked to my vehicle. Throughout all this, I - somehow - noticed a car parked in the row opposite us, facing our direction, with the lights on. There was a male sitting in the driver seat. I did not think much of it, as it was not creepy. (For all I knew, he had just gotten into his car and was preparing to leave.) We hopped into my truck, and I proceeded to back out. The moment I started to drive forward - toward the exit - the man pulled out of his space and fell in behind us. He followed us out of the parking lot, down the road, and was still behind us - as I switched on my blinker, signifying I would be turning into my apartment complex. (Now, it is true, I did not know EVERY single vehicle or person that lived in my complex. However, I knew most, and I - also - knew that most of the occupants were college students. Whatever it was about this vehicle and man - I still do not know - but it made me uncomfortable.) My roommate was still talking away, when I interrupted her. I explained that it was probably nothing, but the vehicle behind us was parked near our vehicle at the store and was about to follow us into our complex. I reminded her that when you believe you are being followed you should NEVER drive to your home (otherwise, they know where you live.) Seeing as I already had my blinker on, I decided we would pull into our apartment complex and park at a building on the opposite end.The moment I turned in, he followed. Out of nowhere, I decided to turn into the office parking lot. There are no apartment buildings there, so the only reason one would park there would be to go to the office (which was closed) or check their mail. He followed. I drove the full office parking lot loop and, finally, parked in front of a random building. He - again - followed and parked five spots down. I told my roommate that we would sit in my truck and see what he did. (Afterall, this whole thing could be coincidence, and he may live here.) We sat there for 2-3 minutes. Finally, he turned off his car, got out, and started to walk toward the building he was parked in front of. I was beyond relieved. We started laughing all over again, making fun of each other for starting to panic. I went to put my truck into reverse and drive around to our actual building, when the man stopped, turned toward our vehicle, and started to walk. I looked at my friend and said, "Umm..is he coming this way?!" Before she had time to answer, he was near jogging, RIGHT TOWARD US! I floored my vehicle in reverse, drove past his car, memorized his plate number, and got the hell out of my complex. We drove around for almost an hour, absolutely freaking out! I called the police, told them what had happened, and they dispatched a vehicle. By the time the police got there, the man and his vehicle were gone. We - eventually - went home, still sticking with the decision to park at another building.
The next morning, the police station called. They asked me to come down and file a report. So, I went and did just that. The police officer I talked to was male, who had a daughter my age. He was disturbed by my story and promised to look into it. (I figured - the Lexington police - YEAH! SURE YOU WILL!) I left the station, presuming they would throw away my report and that would be that. However, I was wrong (and that, rarely, happens). The officer I talked to at the station called me later that evening. He had ran the tag number, and the vehicle belonged to a Mr. John Winkler - a registered sex offender, with multiple offenses, who had recently been released from jail. The officer took it upon himself to drive to this man's house and threaten him. Apparently, that is what Mr. Winkler does. He waits in his vehicle, when it is dark outside, and watches for unsuspecting females. He, then, follows them home and - does only God knows what. My father drove up the next morning and switched vehicles with me. He made me drive one of his for over a month, until we were certain the man was not coming back. He never did. (Backstory complete.)
After unloading my groceries, I shut my hatch, and headed to the opposite row - in order to shove my cart into the stall. Using my "Spidey Senses," I knew there were - exactly - four people around me: the woman who had just passed my vehicle and was about ten feet from the entrance of Walmart, the two women chatting next to their vehicle (which was parked directly beside the cart stall), and a man who I noticed (while unloading my groceries) walking toward my vehicle/Walmart's entrance. I pushed my cart into one of the stalls, smiled at the two women chatting, and was walking back to my vehicle. Seeing that it was raining, I was walking with a pep in my step. I crossed in front of the man, when he was maybe three feet from my vehicle. Obviously, I already had my key fob in my hand - as I do BEFORE walking out of any store. I had just clicked the unlock button and was in line with the passenger door of my vehicle, when I heard the man say, "Excuse me, Ma'am! Can I ask you a question?" I turned to see the man had stopped at the back of my vehicle and was talking to me. I, also, noticed the two Chatty Cathys were getting into their vehicle, leaving only the two of us standing in the rain. No one could see me anymore, including the Salvation Army lady at the entrance, as my truck is too high. I - immediately - said, "No, thank you! I am not interested." He took another step forward, while I spun around and hopped into my vehicle - hitting the lock button, before the door even closed. I had already started my vehicle, using the remote, at the door of Walmart. Thus, my only thought was - GET THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, SO YOU CAN PUT YOUR VEHICLE IN REVERSE!
As soon as the key was in the ignition, and the vehicle shifted into reverse, I allowed myself to look up and into my side mirror. (I refused to allow myself to panic, as maybe the man had a legitimate question. Of course, what one would ask a pregnant female - who is alone, in the rain - I have no clue.) The man - who I presumed had continued walking into Walmart - stepped out from behind the vehicle parked beside me and stood behind mine. (BAHAHAHA! Stupid move, Sir! I am NOT one of those women who are afraid to kill someone via vehicular manslaughter.) I started to inch back, calmly. He did not budge. He, then, started to remove one of his hands from his pockets. It was at this moment that I was hit with a lightning bolt of realization - he has had both hands in his pockets the entire time! *YOU FAIL ME SPIDEY SENSES!!* Being that I am a "IF YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE ME, YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE ME DEAD" type of chic, I decided - better him than me. I *SLAMMED* my foot on the pedal, jolting backwards. He jumped, making it half out of the way on his own - the other half courtesy of my truck. The last thing I saw - out of my rearview mirror - the man was stumbling to his feet, trying to figure out what had just happened.
For those interested - he was wearing jeans, a dark brown/tan jacket (Carhartt knock-off), and a plain navy blue/black cap. I presume he, now, walks with a limp. Bastard.
No comments:
Post a Comment