Friend or Foe?

Idle men on the sidewalk are a cause for alarm. Shuffling feet, mismatched shoes. Just standing around, watching.

I walk by nervously and repeat the only thing that comes to mind- 'Ulechol benei Yisrael lo yecheratz-kelev leshono'. (The quote you say when a dog barks at you.)

Over and over again I repeat it, walking by briskly, holding on tightly to my purse, looking straight ahead and not at him. Heart beating fast.

And then as I pass by he says, "Hello girlfriend. You get home safely you hear."

Ironically, this is from the man I thought was going to kill me.

I guess sometimes the ones you think will harm you turn out to be your ally.