RANSVE

hours were spent in feminine attire at home waiting for employment agency calls. Many days out in the world were enjoyed doing first- time things. At least four walks were made in this same mall, visits made to service station ladies rooms and there was one memorable visit to a large park one quiet October afternoon. This included a walk along a canal, climbing the steps of a restored antique railroad car observation platform and enjoying various other points of interest. The nearby deserted place had one young muscular maintenance man and perhaps half a dozen guests. In April, 1970, I took my first walk through a suburban Atlanta department store. This was re- peated quickly in and quickly out — safely at least a dozen more times. Three shopping trips with purchases were made at an all-night supermarket where, needless to say, I pushed the basket up and down each aisle noticing that the glass soft drink cases made acceptable full-length mirrors. Many hours were spent driving on the interstate highways, and I smile when I hear a GG complain that it is so diffi- cult to drive when wearing heels. I know that this is a thrill, not at all difficult.

Actually, my various trips had been so successful that it seemed that Helen could go anywhere. One unfulfilled desire was to enjoy a snack or short dinner in a restaurant. The initial nervousness of be- ginning a walk in a shopping center or a quiet residential section would pass after the first few minutes and then the period of relaxed enjoyment could begin. A big scare happened in the beautiful Phelps Center in Atlanta one spring evening just as the theatre audience exited and seemed to surround me. It seemed like a thousand people, but I brazenly joined the crowd of 50 to 75, walked back to the car and drew no noticeable stares.

With the activity history out of the way we can get back to March 9th, Tragedy Day. I enjoyed my stroll with a single nervous moment when a security guard said, "It's a long mall to walk, isn't it?" I nodded in polite agreement and continued on my way. After 25 minutes or so as I decided to leave, one of the clean-up crew came over to me to say that the mall was now locked and he would take me to the exit. As this real gentleman held the door open for the lady who was at least six inches taller, I whispered a quiet, "Thank you and goodnight." I paused to look at an outdoor display just to check his reaction. The man had returned to his regular duties. I was happy to see that he was not staring from behind that locked door. I then calmly put another cigarette in my holder, lighted it, and walked back to my car, elated that I had passed two separate encounters.