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Watch Your Speed

My friends know that I don’t really like to drive and that my sense of direction is not strong. Despite these factors, I have still taken the wheel on road trips to visit friends.

Years ago, I was taking my first road trip to visit a friend who lived three hours away. She had given me excellent directions and my journey had been uneventful. Radio blaring, I kept my eyes on the road and my hands upon the wheel.

Glad to be nearing my destination, but getting a little worried about finding my exit, I gripped the steering wheel. I tensed my brow and counted the exits, hoping I knew which one to take. Suddenly, I saw it and zipped onto the off ramp.

Just as suddenly, I saw the blue lights of a police car sitting on the side of the road. I felt a lump in my throat and my heart started racing. I automatically pressed on the brakes to slow my speed.

The police had already pulled another car over, so I breathed a little easier. A policeman standing near the unfortunate traveler’s car turned toward me and waved his hand. I smiled and waved back, thinking how lucky I was to be motioned onward.

Now, my worry was figuring out exactly where I needed to go next. I was on a toll road which didn’t seem right to me but I had no choice but to carry on. Frowning, I looked in the rear view mirror and saw blue twinkling lights following me. I think it was the sound of a siren that signaled me to pull over.

The policeman asked for my license and registration. As I handed it over, I explained that I was lost and hoped he could give me directions.

Instead, I got a lecture about disregarding his attempt to wave me over when I first entered the off ramp. He was not amused that I thought he was waving me past. I guess he did not believe my explanation but it was true. I never would have been so brazen as to smile, wave, and try to escape a slow speed chase on a toll road!

The officer was in no mood to let me off with a warning. So, I got a speeding ticket along with a story to tell!

(Posted in response to the daily prompt: breaking the law)