lions and tigers and -

bears.

in north carolina i worked in an office on the outskirts of town. and even though most of the area was being built up, there was still proof that the land was recently very wild.

i walked in one monday morning and sat at my desk as mountain mary and trini, two of the women i shared an office with, told me about a bear that was spotted over the weekend in front of the neighboring office building.

mountain mary turned to me and said, 'now listen. when you're on your period, make sure you park as close to the front door as you can and run in. do you understand why?'

'i think so.'

'good. just remember, no matter the flow, you just run.'

well, the bears they arrived today. five days early. rude.