I have debated in my head whether to post this here or not, and finally decided too.
I am not wanting sympathy by telling it, but I only want it to serve as a reminder that we have to be careful out in the real world. So with that said.....
About 2 weeks ago I had a Dr's appointment at a large medical center a ways away from my home. I have never been to this clinic and decided the likelihood of running into someone I know was pretty low I decided to have Barbara go instead....
I am a closeted women in that my wife does not approve so I have to keep my girl things in boxes in a friends garage and my fem self only gets to come out when she can. I got my boxes, got my makeup on and nails done and dressed and off to the appointment I went. I must have been stressed/nervous. As I was about to get out of my car i dropped my key between the seat and the center console. Thankfully my outfit included leggings as I was head down, butt up looking for the key under the seat as others were driving by me in the parking garage....o well. Finally I recovered the key, took some deep breaths, grabbed my purse/backpack and headed inside. Now I was running late. Got my COVID screening done and directions to the clinic and found out I parked on the wrong side of the campus(why did i decide to wear heals instead of flats today.....) off I go as fast as I can, get lost in the building again...finally get to the clinic and they graciously let me have my appointment even though I am late. I checked in under my boy name, and it was apparent the women at the counter was not amused and refereed to me as Sir at least twice. Finally the nurse came to get me, and I politely told her I go by Barbara, she said something like that goes with your look a lot better than ____,(my male name) and smiled. I needed that comment and smile. I also needed the restroom before the appointment, so she showed me where it was and told me what room to go to when I was finished. As I walked back to the exam room I noticed the white board outside had "Barbara" and a flower drawn on it. It made my heart feel so good that at least someone was trying to make me feel accepted. The Dr came in finally did the exam and we talked, she was super friendly and seemed accepting, even to the point of telling me she has similar personal problems and how she deals with them. After the appointment I went out and got some lunch at a local food truck court. Barbara has been there many times and had a great time. I get a few looks from the construction/redneck types but I feel safe and confident enough in myself that I go there without a thought.
Now to the point of my story. I mentioned that Barbara has to live in boxes in a friends garage. I had been out quit a few times and it was well past time to do my laundry. About halfway between the medical center and my friends house is a small town that has a laundromat that I have been to many times before without a problem. I took my boxes in, sorted my cloths and started 2 of the three loads I needed too run. They have a private restroom there and realized I should wash the outfit i had worn to the Dr. appointment as well, so I grabbed some leggings, an over sized flannel shirt and went in to change. About half way through changing there is suddenly someone banging on the door, "Hey man, I need you to open up!" , I told them I was just about done and would be right out. Again there was banging on the door, "No man, you need to open up now! This is the manager!" I told him to give me a few more seconds, I was changing and would be right out. 5 seconds later again he was banging on the door. I was not sure what to do at this point. Do I stay locked in and call the police, have him call the police on me?.........I got myself together and picked up my dress and dirty leggings and opened up the door. I met face to face with a middle aged man. I could tell by the look on his face he was not expecting to see....me, and middle aged crossdresser. "Hey man, ummm I got a call that there was some weird stuff going on here, umm, are you ok?" Umm, yes actually I am fine, thanks for asking......"So your not the one that called are you?" Umm No, i just got here to do my laundry. He turns to a couple other customers and asks if they are ok and they tell him they are fine. "Hey man, ummmm yeah I saw you come in on the cameras and know your doing your laundry,....ummmm, your good to stay." And he walks out.
I tried to put on a good show that I was not as scared to death as I was, and started my 3rd load of laundry and then sat in my car a while to try and calm down the insides to try and match the outside....
So I tell you all this story to remind you that even in a progressive state like Oregon near Portland, there are still some very narrow minded people. Be aware of your surroundings. I never did find out if someone actually called him, or what. I did pick up that he had seen me on the security cameras, but i would have though he would have known who was in the restroom and that I had only been in there a minute. I probably will never go back there, and I doubt that he cares that he lost an occasional customer. I tried to look up the business online and I can find no phone number for it, or anything other than the hours. I would love to be able to find the owner and let them know how I was treated, but at this point I dont know how to, and they are probably as narrow minded as the manager.
After i finished and folded my laundry, my spirit was beaten. Barbara had the _ _ _ _ scared out of her. I got back in my car, drove to the next city and changed from Barbara back to my boy self. Put my stuff back in storage and then went to work. It kinda put a downer on my day.
Until next time be confident, pretty and, keep your head on a swivel and be aware of your surroundings.
Barbara
Originally Posted by Barbara Joanne74
) both barrels at the establishment for the unacceptable behavior of its manager. As they used to say in the old "Dragnet" television series..."The names have been changed to protect the innocent"...
