I know there are crappy cops---I am a teacher and I know there are crappy teachers, too--but I just wanted to highlight a random THANK YOU FOR BEING A HUMAN cop moment here.
I was on my way to work. I knew I felt "hinky" and I had taken Immodium to make it all good. Yeah, that was valiant effort for naught.
I hit the bypass on my way to work and every possible factor works against me-blinding sun, gut-wrenching stomach cramps, and the stomach meds are not at arms' reach as usual. I swerved like mad. I admit it. I was weaving like Otis on Friday night in Mayberry. I corrected...the bottle was empty.
BLUE LIGHTS. I almost threw up--I just got a ticket for my expired tags last week (story for another day), and I thought I was about to be hammered again. I pulled over and continued to look for some form of medication...and then the deputy rapped on my passenger window instead of my driver window and nearly made me have a heart attack (Good on her because the place I was pulled over was deadly for a cop to be on the traffic side). This made my hands shake like I was two days off a methhigh and I was sure I was screwed. I figured I was speeding. My tags are still bad. I look like a meth head..oh, AND? I could not have found my insurance if I wanted to. I was a mess.
I roll down the window and say, "What did I do?" (I always assume I am at fault because usually I am). She explains that I was swerving like I was texting or putting on makeup and she was concerned. I immediately freak out and realize I my phone is in th e floorboard in a bag and I hadn't checked it before I left. I assure her neither was the case. My lack of makeup surely backed me up. I looked like death on a cracker at that point. I had on foundation and a smear of mascara that I'd done in my driveway.
I have no shame at this point because I do not need a ticket, so I just told her. I am trying to get to work or a bathroom before I have to call out. I was looking for some meds...and they are out. She was so nice. She immediately said--Go. Get out of here. I do not want to hold you up.
She could have written me a ticket. I was quota bait waiting to happen--swerving, expired tags, distracted driving (as if you can defend against that, really) My tags were expired--she could have nailed me on that. I had a damn outstanding parking ticket she probably could have nailed me on and made an issue. She didn't. She chose to just let me get on with my day and get to school. And she wished me a good day as she left.