Well,I did it!
Today,Sarah went into the mall.I put on an ankle length skirt,turtleneck sweater top and low heels.This should be okay.I decided to see what the parking lot looked like,if it was crowded,I was going to go to a movie(thanks Virginia for the good idea).
I got there about 10 AM local time.The lot wasn't too full.I checked my makeup(it could have been better).I said to myself:"If I see anyone in the parking lot,I won't go in.I looked around and it was clear.
I looked at the clock on the dash,I wanted to remember the exact time I got out of the car(in the excitement,I am no longer completely sure.)
I got out and started walking toward the entrance.
Naturally,about 47,000 people showed up at that moment.It was actually closer to 3 people.
I had the walk down perfect all week.Now,I was having trouble.I had to keep telling myself how to walk like a lady.
One of those "Mets" buses pulled up in front of the doorway.
"Oh great!Here comes the stampede!"I thought.Too late to turn back now!
No one got off the bus.The driver was trying to help an elderly lady who wasn't sure if she needed help getting a package on the bus.
I walked right past them and neither of them noticed.
I'll never be a bikini model or the bus driver would have looked.
I heard a woman some distance behind me say"...with the bag over....shoulder..."
She was talking about me,but that's all I heard.
Of course,in my head,I was sure she was pointing out a crossdresser to her companion.Maybe she was saying she liked my skirt.I like it.
I went in...
A lady was coming out as I was going in.."Don't let her go to the same door as me!"I thought.
She didn't.
Some distance in front of me,a security guard looked up as I came in.At the time,I figured he knew I wasn't a girl.But now,I think he was too far away to be able to tell anything.
The mall is kind of cross shaped.At the center it splits off into 4 directions and I turned to my left there.
Again,my thoughts:"Smile! Darn It!Smile!"
"My shoes are making alot of noise!"
"I'm not fooling anybody".
"Keep walking and get out of here and go home and hide under the bed!"
I kept walking.I forced myself to walk slowly.I wanted to bolt.
I looked at store windows,not seeing what was in them,just checking out people in the reflection as they walked past.No one turned towards me.I didn't get a second look.I guess I should be upset!I'm not worth a second look!
I was hoping there was an exit at the end of this section.There was.Now,I wish there wasn't.I took the exit and walked slowly(painfully slowly)back to my car.A lady and her young child walked past me,neither of them looked back.
It was over.I was in such a hurry to get out of the mall,and now I was sad that I was back in the car,safe and sound.
There is an antique store(it's not really old,they just sell antiques there) at the other end of the mall with it's own entrance.
I decided to continue my adventure in there.
It was closed.
I took that as a sign that I should call it a day and go home.
It was fun in an odd kind of way.
I am glad I did it.I want to do this again.This is a very important step for me and I wanted to share it with everyone while it was still fresh in my mind.
Oh,I forgot to hide under the bed.I 'm going to do that right now!
Thanks to everyone for their good advice!