Here There and Everywhere

Oklahoma Speed Trap

I was driving near sunset along the major east-west interstate highway in Oklahoma, with my son, sound alseep beside me. It was a gorgeous evening, and I had driven all day but wasn’t tired. Driving conditions were excellent all day, and I was so thankful. Perfect time for prayer. So I was praying all kinds of thanks when I hear a siren and see the lights in my rear view mirror.

I pulled over, not without reluctance. I had just made it past a whole line of big trucks.

“Lady, didn’t you see me??” the State Patrolman asked.

“No, I didn’t, where were you?” I asked.

“I was between those trucks you whizzed by! I can’t believe you didn’t see me! What were you thinking?”

I felt really sheepish. “I was praying,” I said, hoping the cop was feeling kind-hearted.

He wasn’t.

For the only time in my life, I had to leave my car and go sit in the highway patrol car while he ran my license and my son’s car license plates. As we waited for the results, he kept asking me questions.

“Where are you going?”
“We’re driving back home from my son’s college.”
“Where’d he go to school?”
“Florida”
“And where are you going?”
“Home” (A Western state)

(How long can it take to run plates and a driver’s license???)

“What year is he?”
“He just graduated.”
“What did he graduate in?”

I felt so humiliated. Tears started running down my face. I could see my son watching me in the rearview mirror.

“Criminology” I sobbed.

True story. Our plates and license came back clean, but it didn’t make any difference. It was the most expensive speeding ticket I have ever had to pay.

October 2, 2006 - Posted by intlxpatr | Family Issues, Uncategorized