Today I had a myriad of different problems involving abuse, sexism and the patriarchy but none of them was more upsetting than a chance encounter at the dollar tree.

Today I had to get some car maintenance done and because of the pouring rain decided to do a quick trip at the dollar tree while I waited. To be honest I felt a little bad going in because I didn't really have anything in mind to purchase so I was just extra careful with my distancing, looking down the aisles to see if there was anything catching my eye before really committing.

In one aisle there was a guy, and I'm going to describe this guy buy you all know the type. He was awkward, a bit large with ill fitting clothes and a poorly considered fedora. He was the kind of energy vampire that from the moment he saw your femaleness would immediately try to glomb into you with a painful interpretation of your actions. Mine was, "oh I'm sorry, am I in your way?"

Mind you I was a good 8 feet away and just glancing in his general direction. And although the words seem innocuous enough, he said them with that tone that is supposed to invite an immediately apologetic response. I decided to play it safe and not respond with an apologetic tone but a confident, "Nope just trying to social distance."

Of course he passes me unnecessarily close and rounds the aisle but as he does he immediately stops another woman. But this woman doesn't really look well. I decide to hold my position and eavesdrop just in case my intuition is correct, and he leads with... "Why did you give me your number if you didn't want to go out with me?"

Quickly I think, okay they know each other it's a small town, but there is something off. I keep pretending to look at something and she says, "I'm sorry when we spoke I thought I could help you, but I didn't mean it like that."

"Well I just mean I could use help but I don't understand why you would give me your number if you don't like me?"

This level of intensity and it's been maybe 10 seconds? I glanced over at her and she was shaking. Her eyes obviously fighting back tears, she starts apologizing to this neck beard, "I'm sorry that's not.. I like you fine just not like that. I just like helping people, I thought you could use my help, I've just... I've just been struggling okay?"

"Oh is there anything I can do to help you?"

"No, okay. My brain cancer is getting worse, there's nothing you can do."

At this point I decide to interject fumbling for literally anything other than, listen up mother fucker, to say. But as I quickly approached she began to cry terribly and run out the store. Neck beard barely even acknowledged it and instantly started walking toward another single woman in the store.

I just couldn't fucking believe it. Who in their right mind would put a human being through that torture? What the fuck was he trying to accomplish? I mean dear God the sweet woman was well put together, maybe 20 years his senior, left behind a cart of easter supplies, obviously trying to use what energy she has in her to try and spread good will and happiness, and this pathetic excuse for a human has to make her feel bad that she doesn't want to fuck him? And then like a deranged maniac he destroys this poor woman not even a minute after trying to target me, turns around and chases after some other poor unsuspecting woman.

I just sat there for a second dumbfounded... I wish I would have interjected faster, but the whole thing was maybe 30 seconds. I have interjected in a number of different situations but today I was just discombobulated with the sociopathic way this guy "shopped" at the dollar tree and how many people he must do that to. I tried to speak to an employee and they responded, "what do you want me to do about it?" I don't know... What would you have done?