Sunday, December 21, 2008

The Ticket

Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often? When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror.

The cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand. Bob? Bob from Church? Jack sunk farther into his trench coat. This was worse than the coming ticket. A cop catching a guy from his own church. A guy who happened to be a little eager to get home after a long day at the office. A guy he was about to play golf with tomorrow.

Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw every Sunday, a man he'd never seen in uniform. 'Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this.'

'Hello, Jack.' No smile.

'Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids.'

'Yeah, I guess.' Bob seemed uncertain. Good. 'I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit -just this once.' Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement. 'Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean?'

'I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct '. Ouch. This was not going in the right direction. Time to change tactics.

'What'd you clock me at?'

'Seventy. Would you sit back in your car please?'

'Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65.' The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket.

'Please, Jack, in the car.'

Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window. The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad. Why hadn't he asked for a driver's license? Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near this cop again. A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand. Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip. 'Thanks.' Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice.

Bob returned to his police car without a word. Jack watched his retreat in the mirror. Jack unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost? Wait a minute. What was this? Some kind of joke? Certainly not a ticket. Jack began to read:

'Dear Jack,
Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it - a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters, all three of them. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until Heaven before I can ever hug her again. A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now. Pray for me. And be careful, Jack, my son is all I have left.'
'Bob'

Jack turned around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road. Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.

Life is precious. Handle with care. Drive safely and carefully. Remember, cars are not the only things recalled by their maker. Pass this on, you may save a life. Maybe not, but we'll never know if we don't try.

May today there be peace within you. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. 'I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.'

7 comments:

Georgia Girl said...

OMGoodness....I know hubby really felt bad after reading that. Your right things happen in the flash of an eye and then we can't get it back.

Also from Georgia and just happened to creep up on your blog. Will be back to visit again!

Anonymous said...

Great post! Everyone is so busy this time of year and we need to be reminded to slow down and think about how our actions can affect others. Thanks for posting this!

Inspiration CAN be found EVERYWHERE said...

fantastic post.

Makes you stop and think - and hopefully find the "governor" on your own vehicle so you aren't the cause of someone's unhappiness.

I am going to keep this one - perhaps copy and send this to both my kids....every little bit helps. Thanks

ChicagoLady said...

What an important thing to remember this time of year, as we're all rushing around trying to get everything done before Christmas and New Years.

Cassie said...

This is a great story. I wish that things such as this were published regularly in local newspapers, school papers, on menus in bars, on programs at sports events....

I get so ticked off when I see someone not obeying the law, in school zones especially.

I worked 4 years on an ambulance, and have seen what recklessness causes. Something as simple as obeying the law, can prevent so much pain and heartache.

Fifi Flowers said...

That is such a good story... every time I read it... I love it!

Kat said...

At 20 MPH 90% of pedestrians hit by a car live..at 30 MPH 90% of pedestrians hit by a car die. Slow down in residential areas, 10 MPH difference could really be the difference between life and death.