Today, I decided to get up and do a little run to the store. I had a few things I wanted to pick up before the usual Saturday shopping rush. I went to a couple of places and then made my last stop at one of my favorite stores Dollar Tree! Of course I took forever looking for stuff, but when I was done I went to the line to check out. The lady in front of me, she was counting change to buy some toilet paper and another item. I wanted to buy the things for her but before I could she handed her change to the cashier and said "Thank You". She asked the cashier about some pork skins that they didn't sell anymore and asked if he thought they'd be restocking them any time soon. He told her , "No I'm sorry miss. Here's your receipt! Have a blessed day and take care of yourself." She looked at him and shook her head mumbling, "I wish!" We all laughed, but it was all in good spirits. After that, she went on to the next cashier to have a conversation. The cashier rang my things up, I paid and took my items and my receipt and the lady that was in front of me ends her conversation with the cashier she was talking to, to go out the door the same time as me. I was a little creeped out, I'm not gonna lie. I felt that she was waiting to talk to me but I just let it ride as I proceeded to walk to my car.
She started walking up with me and was like, "OMG, you are beautiful, very gorgeous woman." I smiled at her and said, "Thank you!" She continued, like, "Yes, you are beautiful, gorgeous, you have man? A husband, a boyfriend!" I was going to respond and tell her that's none of her damn business but I was like, "No." She's responded, "WOW, I don't understand why. You are beautiful, whoever is with you deserves to give you the world. Your hair, your face, your body, BEAUTIFUL!!! Very beautiful, beautiful!" I was like, "Thank you, but no I don't have a man, I'm not taken and I don't think I will be any time soon!" I felt like I said thanks to her like 98439857345 times. So she responded, "Oh, okay well make sure you are treated well, ya know. You deserve it!" I was like ummm, "Ok!" She continued, "Because I have one and he doesn't treat me good, you know. I treat him nice, I love him, I let him move in, I take care of him and he throws away food even when I buy it a day ago, he drinks, he likes to argue and fight, even fight me because I try to tell him good things, I look out for him!" My facial expression went from being gracious for all of her compliments to sad and sorry. As she continued to tell me how this man treats her, I wanted to tell her to wake up and get out while she can. She said she has a son and the son clearly knew something was wrong, he wanted to call the cops to help protect her but out of fear she lied to him because she feels like if the truth comes out, the boyfriend will kill her. I've never in my life had any issues with abuse, I have an idea what I'd do but because I'm not in the situation I had no clue what to tell the woman.

She then asked if I had family. I told her I do! After she heard that I did she said, "Cherish them. My family died many years ago in my country. My mother, father... Everyone! Now it's just my son and I. If I had family, I know they would protect me!" I asked her, "So when are you going to do something about it? When its too late? When he hurts you?" She goes, "If I do anything he will kill me, the other day he tried to hit me in the mouth with a baseball bat, one day he bolted the door with wood to lock me in." I shook my head, I told her, "You are a very strong woman to have to deal with this mess, but you would be even stronger if you chose to do what's best for you! You have to love yourself first. Pray about it and determine your next move!" She's responded, "I know, thank you so much beautiful! Make sure you don't get man like mine. Make sure man treat you good! Stay blessed beautiful. I come here all the time, maybe next time I see you! God bless."

I got back into my car and mentally I was out of it. Not in the sense that I was affected by her words but I just thought about thanking God for the bullets that I dodged (relationship wise). I'd like to be in a relationship but right now isn't the time. If it ever happens, I know what I deserve. I know that I'm not ready to be anyone's prisoner! I have a purpose in life and I'll live to fulfill it. I truly appreciate the woman's words. It makes me respect the fact that I have a strong and sound mind to make decisions to look out for myself. It definitely opens my eyes when it comes to relationships, you can't just be giving in to any and everyone. You have to make sure you love yourself, and whoever you associate with, make sure they love you the same way that you love yourself!

Thanks for reading... Until next time!