confession

Alright. I admit it.

I'm afraid of squirrels.

I have no problem going to the park, but the squirrels have been after me for years. I think I could beat up a squirrel if I had to, but these NY squirrels are pretty big. Luckily, they are also slow, so I have time to scream when I see one eyeing me.

Recently I was almost made into a squirrel's lunch. I was reading in the park, minding my own business, when a fat gray squirrel came running at me. I lifted my feet onto the bench, trying to be nonchalant, but my movement must have been too sudden because it attracted the attention of the people on the next bench.

The squirrel was very close to me, but knew he couldn't attack me while other people were watching. So after a brief hesitation, he continued charging at me. Instead of jumping at my face like he had originally planned, he charged right under my bench, continuing on to the grass behind me. I didn't have to watch my back because I left the park soon after. (Smartly, I think.)

This isn't a problem that started when I moved to NY; the first time I noticed it was in Fresno on my 14th bday. I told people about it, but they thought I was a little too paranoid. Luckily, this topic doesn't come up on conversation often, and I've gotten good at squirrel-dodging while in the park with other people. The squirrels are less agressive when I'm in a group, because they know they could never take out all of us at once.

As far as I know, I'm the only person with this problem. I've researched the issue, but another case has never been documented. I'm not sure if that means that I'm the first, or worse - the squirrels may have left no one alive.

I am NOT going to let these squirrels win! I will continue going to the park to show these squirrels that they can't keep bullying me. I AM NOT AFRAID OF THEM!!!!