The man who wouldn't leave

This happened to me a few days ago. I am an emergency nurse practitioner, so I thought I was good at reading people, and I know that I am good at protecting myself. I am an avid runner in a large city and have been for years. I am also a very friendly person.<br><br>I was at a party for one of my coworkers. We were at a restaurant and the party had a private dining room. I stepped out to take a phone call. I didn't want to take the phone call, but it was my husband and I hadn't heard from him in a few hours and was getting worried. I thought that maybe something had happened to one of the kids and he wanted to let me know before I got home. <br><br>I stepped outside by the restaurant and answered the phone. It was a short call and nothing was wrong. While I was on the phone, a man approached me. He was clearly drunk and I could smell the beer on his breath. He kept trying to talk to me and I kept telling him that I was on the phone. He wouldn't go away. Finally, he said "well, can I get your number and call you in a few?" I smiled, took his phone, and deliberately put the wrong number in. I felt so empowered by this.<br><br>I went back inside the restaurant and went back into the party. A few minutes later, a few coworkers and I decided to get some fresh air. We stepped outside the restaurant and there he was. Drunk guy from the street. I recognized him immediately. This wasn't a coincidence. He had followed me. We quickly went back inside the restaurant. <br><br>He came in the restaurant and looked around until he found me. He walked up to me and smiled at me and said "I tried calling you but the number you gave me doesn't work". I said "that's strange". He asked if he could sit down with me and I said "no". <br><br>There was a table of four men next to me and they could clearly tell that I was uncomfortable. The man closest to me at that table said "is everything ok? Do you need help" and I said "yes". At that point drunk guy said "mind your own fucking business" and the man at the table stood up. The table of men stood up and drunk guy turned around and left. <br><br>I was really thankful for the table of men and I told them so. The man who stood up first said "I have daughters". I told him that I hoped that my sons would do the same thing for women in similar circumstances.<br><br>That night, I couldn't shake the feeling that drunk guy was still out there looking for me. I kept looking over my shoulder. I was so glad that I got to go home to my family and feel safe. I was so thankful for the table of men who saved me that night. <br><br>Drunk guy on the street, I don't want to ever meet you again.