It Can Happen Anywhere

It was 5:42pm on a Monday night. I pulled into the parking lot where my doctor's office was. All the spots just in front of the building were taken so I drove about ten yards away and parked in front of the other building, with a white sedan parked to the left of me. I put my car in park, unplugged my phone from the A/V jack, and started to get my belongings together. 

In my peripheral vision, I noticed something near the white car next to me. It was a man walking between our cars. I figured he was getting ready to get into the passenger seat of that car so I waited a second until he got in before I opened my door.

Well, he never got into the car.

Instead, he taps on the window of my car.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Shocked, I whip my head around to look at him and he motions for me to roll down the window.

This man appeared to be in his upper 70's if I had to guess. His hair was white. He was wearing a camel brown, long-sleeved button down. He wasn't the cleanest shaven man I've ever seen but certainly didn't look homeless.

After he told me to put the window down, I shook my head, "no!"

He started mumbling something and seemed as though he was asking for money.

Again, I shook my head, "no" and motioned for him to leave.

I grabbed my phone in a panic, trying to figure out what I was going to do.

Should I move my car? Should I get out now and run? Where did he go? I waited until I saw another car driving through the lot. I figured if he was going to do something, he wouldn't do it while another person could see. So, I quickly grabbed my belongings, and cut diagonally through the parking lot, walking very briskly. As I passed the edge of the first building, I noticed a figure emerge from around the corner.

It was him!

"Miss! Miss!" he yelled, quickly moving toward me.

I started to run to my building.

As I ran, he picked up his pace and started to chase after me.

I yelled, "I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE ME ALONE!"

via

In those last flashes, I remember trying to get to the door of my building as quickly as I could and being sure to shut the door and keep it closed behind me.

The man did not follow me into the building.

Right away, I reported what had just happened to the receptionists and doctor. One of the ladies went outside in the direction he had gone and flagged down a driver of an SUV. The man had tapped on her window as well, wanting money. He proceeded to approach ladies going into and out of the gym in the shopping center.

The police were notified.

I tell you this story because this stuff happens. In broad daylight. In the shopping center ten minutes from your house that you've been going to since you were a kid.

Did the man hurt me? No. Did he scare the living daylights out of me? Yes. Did he have a gun? I don't know. Did he really just want money? I don't know.

What if I had rolled down my window? What if I did reach into my purse? What if I hadn't run when I saw him again?

What could have happened?

My mom always taught me to be aware of my surroundings. To have my car keys in my hand when I walked out to my car. To look over my shoulder. To drive away as soon as I got into my car instead of texting someone or messing with my radio.

Things happen in split seconds, when you least expect them.

I'm grateful that she continued to re-iterate those things to me for twenty-six years because if it weren't for her, maybe I would have rolled down my window. Maybe I wouldn't have run.

I worked with a girl who left dance practice one afternoon and her car was found at the bottom of a lake and her body found soon after. I don't take these situations lightly.

Be careful. Watch your back. Have someone walk you to your car [luckily, one of the doctors insisted on walking me out.]
And if a situation doesn't feel right, it isn't.