We Are So Here For Women Supporting Women

I go out to the city to see a live performance of one of my favorite podcasts. I take the train as it is a short walk from the station to the venue and easier than trying to find parking or deal with traffic. It is April, and it gets downright cold by the time the show lets out around 9:00 pm, so I decide to cut through a mall as it will be the same distance but warmer.

I notice a man entering the mall right behind me and I realize after a few minutes that he is staying the same distance behind me and following my roundabout window-shopping route. I am a fairly short woman; most men would have passed me already.

I start to get nervous, so when I walk past the hotel that is attached to the mall, I go up to the hostess in the hotel restaurant.

Me: “I’m being followed. Could I please sit an empty table here for a bit?”

The hostess immediately sat me at a table within her line of sight, brought me soda, and had a waitress come sit with me. The waitress made a big deal about seeing me, greeting me like an old friend, and giving me a big hug.

The man stopped right outside of the hotel lobby and hung around for about twenty minutes before moving on. The hostess called mall security, but he was gone by the time they arrived. 

So I wouldn’t miss my train, now the last train of the night, someone from the hotel desk staff walked me to the station. He was going to wait with me, but when we got there, I ran into friends who just happened by in the city and would be taking the same train. Satisfied I was safe, the hotel staff member left me with them and headed home. 

I am so grateful to the hostess and her coworkers who were willing to do that for me. If it hadn’t been for them, it would have been a much scarier situation than it already was, but thanks to them, I made it home safe and sound.

This story is part of our Best Of December 2020 roundup!

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