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One last note.
I got into to see my therapist today and talk about what happened, and he had much the same advice as many of the people in the thread were giving me--don't behave like a victim, erect firm barriers, try to project an aura of confidence even if you don't feel it, etc.
He also gently pointed out that several of the things I'd done in response--retreat to a place of safety, obsessive cleaning, getting my hair cut short--are all common reactions in women who've been sexually assaulted. The weird thing is that I knew this, but didn't realize that that's why I was doing these things.
I have "homework" now. I'm supposed to go back to the store, by myself if possible, find the manager and tell him what happened and give a description of the boy who fondled me so that he can watch for this in the future, and tell him about my decision not to patronize his store any more as a result.
Grace can come with me, but if she does, she's supposed to wait outside in the concourse.
My hairdresser, by the way, wouldn't let me get a butch hair cut, so I ended up with something a lot like in my profile picture.
Gilda
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I'm against ending blackness. I believe that everyone has a right to be black, it's a choice, and I support that.
~Steven Colbert
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