She never wrote it down

Last weekend I was in Duluth, MN for a "weekend roadtrip", as previous blogs can attest. On the last day, I went through a few shops along Canal Drive. More because my friend wanted to rather than I, who despises shopping.

I did perk up when we entered an Antique store. I looked around for items on people I "collect" on. You know, Princess Diana (nothing I don't already have), anything Royal, President and Jackie Kennedy.

In a corner I was thrilled to find all the old Life and Look magazines from years past. Too many to look through. Indeed they were piled high, on top of each other, about 3-4 feet. Too heavy for me to dig through. But I was able to find four magazines to purchase.

I went up to the counter and chatted up the couple. For anyone who knows me, they know I could carry on a conversation with a lamppost, or so I've been told!

Three of the magazines had President and Mrs Kennedy on the cover. The woman said, "such a shame". I knew she was talking about the death of President Kennedy. I concurred. Being the mouth that I am, I said, "I don't believe it was Oswald alone" and went on, giving my FIRM view on how the fatal shots were fired from the "Grassy Knoll" etc.

As I looked at this woman her eyes were saying something, or NOT saying something. She seemed to be sizing me up. I was trying to read her as I talked. She then said, "I was there". "THERE?" Still seeming hesitant to me, she said, "There, in Dallas, that day. I saw it all".

My mouth was hanging open! I remember saying things like how I couldn't even imagine what that must have been like., etc. I asked where she was standing, near the grassy knoll? Did she see anything?

She seemed to me to step back, ever so slightly. Her eyes seemed to glance around. She seemed SCARED! She replied, "I was at the Book Depository". Again, my mouth was open in shock. "You were THERE?" She nodded and quietly said, "directly below the window, on the street, I heard the shots and I never (upon my asking) thought them car backfires as has been mentioned. I knew they were rifle shots".

She mentioned more, but I can't recall. Something about being in Ruby's bar. About a friend being in the theatre when Tippit (can't recall how to spell his name) was gunned down.

I looked at her and said, "Did you write all this down?" She shook her head no. "Why"? I asked in puzzlement. Her reply: "People who talked ended up dead". I replied, "but didn't you write this down even for your family?"

No. It was too awful to write and she felt there would be no danger if nothing was put on paper.

I left the shop but could not get her out of my mind.

To have witnessed THIS piece of history and NOT write it down boggles my mind. I suppose for a purely selfish reason. I want to read her story. And a story she certainly had to tell.......but it will go with her to her grave.