Erica

TRUE STORY

FOR THE DEFENSE

My G.G. and I had been out with a group of people all day. On the way home she commented what a lovely day it had been and how she enjoyed the outing. Then she said there were certain things she needed from the supermarket. I indicated that we could pick them up later tonight.

On arriving home we both commented on the fact we were not hungry due to the big luncheon we had had. While watching early night time television, I was working on my nails, filing, shaping and coloring with my favorite shade of polish. My wife asked if we were go- ing to the market. I indicated we were. She asked how I was going to dress, forgetting the nail polish I already had on my nails. When I showed her the obvious, I asked, "What do you want me to wear?" Her reply was, "The blue and white outfit you wore when you were out alone last Tuesday." So blue and white it was.

When we arrived at the market I suggested, as I had on shopping trips before, that if she wanted to shop alone that was O.K. and I would shop by myself. But she did not indicate going alone so we two gals shopped together. We received nothing but the usual glances from other customers in the market.

When shopping was completed we headed for the check-out stand and waited our turn. As we were being checked out I noticed a woman giving me the "eye." Had she "read" me, I wondered? I stared right back at her without flinching or batting an eyelid. When we got to our car my wife asked, in rather angry terms. "Did you see that woman give you the eye and then turn to her husband and rub her chin as she looked at you? She obviously was referring to your beard that showed through your make-up, though I could not see your beard standing

81