Fight or Fly

I just got back from my weekly trek to the grocery store and omg...had a lesson on human instinct to either fly or fight situations.

Anyhow, I was doing my thing - yakking away to E when we reached the end of our aisle.  I went to turn onto the main thoroughfare when this old man suddenly appears.  You guys know how these stores are - coupled with a cart, it's a bit of a blind turn sometimes.  Same case here - he had the right away, so I backed up and offered an apologetic smile. Alright, I may have said I was sorry too - don't really remember.  The guy STOPS, looks at me and goes, "This is the second time you've nearly run me over."  WTF???

Just a lil back story here - while in the parking lot, *I* nearly got run over by someone in a car who swooped in to park (illegally, I might add) next to us.  We were in a legitimate handicap spot, he was on the lines for the spot ahead of us.  It would seem - this was the driver.

Back to where I was standing amoungst collections of oils and packaged cake mixes.... I really was taken aback and found myself ducking my head, apologising once again.  Cause really, I don't make a habit of running down people at the store.  HONEST!!!   So he went on about how it happened in the parking lot and that we zipped by him and were totally speeding.

Seriously?  I have no idea where we would have "zipped" by him but E was not speeding in the parking lot.  Have you guys seen the people that aimlessly walk those places - no speeding there unless you're looking to kill someone!

At one point he was going about if we could tell he was kidding or not... Generally, I don't mind, actually like randomly talking to people but this man?  Totally creeped me out.  It seemed like his comments were directed at E, so I fled the scene.  Quickly.

E and I were talking about it on the drive home and he reflected on how funny it was that my instinct was to flee while he stood his ground - like he was protecting me  It's a sweet sentiment but part of me thinks I also fled cause I was about thisclose to snatching E's cane from his hand and beating the guy down with it.  Not a nice thing to do and I really don't want to see what it's like to get arrested.

Ugh...I'm so full of nervous agitation today.  Thank god, I'm getting my Jedi on...or is that Padawan?