Going Solo

Well, Sharon tells me that the Galleria is a very upscale place and that it has just one long main mall with stores on both sides with Barnes and Noble Books down at one end. "Oh" I say and think, "Hm-mmm, why is she telling me this?" I thought we were on our way back to CD Central! We had just come from meeting Lou at the new Repeat Boutique. I had heard a lot about Lou from some of the other sisters and couldn't wait to meet her and see the things she had in her shop. Come to think of it, this would be the first time I would actually be out clothes shopping as Stephanie!! We walked in and right away it looked like a fun place. Clothes were piled in boxes along one wall and two people were busily scurrying around taking clothes from the piles, organizing and distributing them by size to the proper racks around the store. Sharon introduced me to one of them as the ever popular Lou (GG) who with a gracious hello and big smile invited me to look around and feel free to try on anything I liked!! Wow! Neat! Stephanie was like a kid in a candy store!! You know how you always dreamed of being locked in the women's clothing store at night and being able to try on everything in site? Well, this was even better!!! I quickly found a few blouses that looked like they would fit and Lou's helper actually showed me the way to the dressing room, no questions asked! Great! Two silky soft tops that fit (even had long enough sleeves!) in my very favorite colors, fuchsia and purple, for $5 each! Hey, I can get used to coming to this place a lot!! Thanks, Lou, as Arnold says, "Ah'll bih bahk!!"

So, now Sharon is actually driving completely around the Galleria Mall! Hey, we just passed a couple of perfectly good parking spots!! What's going on? Well, Sharon stops the car at the curb right in front of the far entrance to the mall and I find out. She turns to me and says, "Time to go solo, Stephanie! Get out here and go for a stroll through the mall and I'll see you at the other end in about 15-20 minutes. I need to get a book or two from Barnes and Noble. See you there." WELLL, NOW!!! Do I dare? OK, I'm nervous, but heck, I think I look pretty good (long floral skirt, white top, black long cardigan worn open, black hose, pewter flats, tasteful jewelry)!! OK, I'll DO IT!! What the heck, time to find out if there really are gender police around here! So, as gracefully as possible I step out of the car, straighten my skirt, adjust the strap of my purse over my right shoulder and head for the door. I'm through the door and moseying down the hall, deep breathing all the way. I look down at my hands and knees. Good, not shaking (as far as I can tell!). Oh-oh, here comes the first few people to pass me! Glide along, Stephanie, like you are supposed to be here dressed just this way!! They look, I don't, and then they're passed! Keep strolling, more people a'comin'. But they all pass too. Hey, this is fun!! I think I'll stop and look in a window. As I stop to look (without thinking) I notice that I'm standing in front of a MEN'S store!! Yikes, I really don't need a shirt and tie, do I? Anybody notice? Hey, no, nobody noticed, or if they did nobody is making any big deal about it! WOW! So, I coast on down the mall, stopping to see some great artwork and beautiful clothes through the windows (not brave enough to venture in anyplace yet!).

I arrive down at the other end of the mall and, hey, where did the bookstore go? Ah, there is a stairway and, gulp, there are three teenage girls standing on the landing! I start down the stairs hoping that the bookstore is at the bottom AND that the girls will let me pass peacefully! I make it to the bottom without comment and there is the entrance to the bookstore. I stroll in and look around and see this tall, well-dressed, gray-haired woman standing in front of the Arts and Crafts shelf paging through a book on crocheting. Must be Sharon. The dear has just picked up a new en femme hobby and wants to learn as much as she can!! Before I disturb her I take a short spin around the stacks, actually stopping to look at a few books. This IS fun!! Then I figure it's time to go, so I get Sharon's attention and we go upstairs where Sharon waits in line to pay for her books.

I'm feeling great (and wonderfully feminine) standing at the front door looking at the newest bestsellers as customers enter and leave through the big doors. Oh, sure, they are noticing me, but, you know what? I could care less!! Sharon joins me and we leave. On the walk to the car I am absolutely bursting with joy and amazement inside!! What an adventure!! I am going to have to do more of this!! Maybe tomorrow? We have to stop for groceries! Why not!?!

Solo, eh? You're right, Sharon! No sweat! No problem! No gender police!