The Blue Bathing Suit

Many, many years ago, I lived in a place that didn't have air conditioning. In the summer months and the sweltering heat, the only way I could keep cool and semi-comfortable, was to wear a bathing suit all day.

On one such day, my little girls were at their father's house and I had a date that night. In late afternoon I was really uncomfortable from the heat, so I laid down on the couch, with a little fan pointed at me... and promptly fell asleep.

When I woke up it was already dark, but I could see the little orange light from my boyfriend's cigarette, glowing in the kitchen. I found my way over to him and gave him a kiss. His mustache grazed my upper lip.
My boyfriend did not have a mustache.
To this day I don't know why I didn't panic. Here I was, in the dark, with a stranger... but I was calm.

When he started talking, it was obvious that he was drunk, or high, or both. I can't remember what he said, but he talked for a long time. Just babbling, slurring his words. I answered when I could. But the words I will never forget him saying are, "Girls like you shouldn't live.".
It was time for me to make a move!

I told him that I wished I had a drink, but that I didn't even have any beer, hoping I could talk him into offering to go and buy some! As luck (and his drunken stupor) would have it, he said that he had some bourbon in his car and did I want him to go get it. Yes please!!
As soon as he went outside, I locked the door behind him...
And for the first time, I turned on the light.

Now I was shaking and my heart was racing! I called the operator to please connect me to the police, it was an emergency! She gave me the number and said I had to dial it myself. I called the number, but it was busy! There was no 911 in those days, and if the line was busy, it was busy. When I finally did get through, she had to transfer me!!
By then he was banging on the door and yelling! The door had a big glass window and I was afraid he would break it and force his way in!

The police finally came and took him into custody. I didn't see it, I heard it. I stayed inside.
I didn't want to see his face.

One of the police officers came inside and and told me that the guy thought he was at his ex girlfriend's house and that I was her roommate. He said that I really shouldn't press charges against him, since it was just a mistake.

Then, as he was leaving, he turned around, pointed at my bathing suit and said,
"You shouldn't dress like that."

Seriously?! In my own house?! With closed curtains?! Are you kidding me?!
Lucky for him I was meek & mild in those days and hadn't found my "voice".  ;)
Or lucky for me!! Had it been today, I'd probably be sitting in the back of that squad car!

I still think of that sometimes. I'm very proud of myself for staying so calm under pressure,
but mad for not telling that cop what he could do with his finger.


I loved that blue bathing suit.  ~ ~




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gabriele