I met a friend at a bar and was walking home last night when I saw a woman walking up 1st Ave on very uncomfortable heels. She was weaving and clearly very drunk. I immediately grew very concerned about whether or not she was going to make it to wherever she was headed. One of the problems with this scenario in the world we live in is I can’t just walk up to her and offer to help without her being suspicious of my intentions. And rightly so, she absolutely should be suspicious. But I really wanted to help so I approached her. I offered to put her in a cab and give the cabbie money to get her home. She refused. So I said fine, can I just walk with her to make sure she gets to her doorway safely. That was okay with her. I had to reassure her that I was not “Ted Bundy” as she kept saying, but eventually she held my arm to help keep herself steady and we were off.

I understand 100% where that fear of strangers and fear of strange men comes from. And as I said, it’s of course justified. There are lots of dangerous men out there, no question. That fear is real, unfortunate and I don’t like it, but I do understand. I wish it was different but all I can do is just keep being myself, keep doing the right thing as best I can.

Eventually it became clear we were going to be walking a long time so I offered again to pay for a cab. We got in a cab and I dropped her off at her house. She was very adamant that I didn’t know where she lived and I didn’t take her any farther to her door. But she was in front of where she lived and she was home safe so I headed back to Lower Queen Anne.

Her name was Leann and I’m pretty sure she will not remember me at all. She didn’t say goodbye and didn’t say thank you, and I pretty much expected that. I’m just glad I was able to get her home safe after what looked like a very long night.



Related posts: