Copping an Attitude (Part 1)

I'll just put it out there—I am not perfect. Nope, not me! On any given day, my house is a wreck; toys and dishes are probably everywhere. I pretty much destroy any green plant put in my vicinity. Frequently I borrow things and forget to return them. (Sorry to those of you who know who you are!) I can be grumpy, snotty, and narrow-minded. See? Far from perfect.

But one thing I pride myself on is following rules. Yes, I am a rule-follower. This includes following a little something called The Law. Often Erik and I pick at each other over our differences in obeying rules, even simple ones. If a certain area says “Exit Only,” I follow that. To the letter. Yet Erik wouldn't think twice about whipping a vehicle through there. Speed limits? If I do go above them, it's minuscule. Erik considers driving less than five miles over the posted limit a disgrace to society. Anyway, you see my point.

In fact, in regards to traffic rules and laws, I have only been pulled over by a police officer twice. Neither one resulted in a ticket. One occurred at 2 AM when I was driving home from a friend's house many years ago. Obviously not the best time to be out, but I was NOT speeding. Oddly, I was pulled over anyway and severely questioned about my drinking habits. Guess what? I don't really drink either. And I'd NEVER drink and drive. EVER. I guess I disappointed that particular cop, cause he politely let me leave with nothing, not even a warning. You know, since I had done NOTHING wrong!

And the second time? A broken brake light, of which I had no knowledge, which resulted in a warning. I suppose I shouldn't have taken offense to this particular incident, but it was hard not to do so. Let me present the conversation between myself and the police officer (nearly verbatim, I swear!) and you can judge for yourself.

PO: Do you know why I pulled you over?

Me: (incredulously) Was I speeding? (Note: I was NOT)

PO: (not answering MY question) Are you aware this is a school zone?

Me: Yes, I am. I teach at that school, and I just pulled out of its parking lot. Was I speeding?

PO: Well, you maaaaaaay have been going a bit fast. (Long pause) Are you aware that you have a brake light out?

So there it was—a brake light out! And there I sat, alongside the road next to my school, wondering how many students would pass by, honk, and shout in shock, “It's MRS. SMITH!”

For the record, I understand he had a job to do. I really, really do. It's just that I couldn't understand why he needed the attitude. It's not like I'd done anything wrong, other than not realize I had a brake light out. Right? But then he delivered the kicker, the insult on top of the embarrassment.

PO: Ok, Ma'am, let's get that brake light fixed right away. And really, you ought to know better.

Me: ?!?

PO: You know, being a teacher and all.

At this point, I accepted my driver's license from him and remained open-mouthed for several minutes. Had I just been chastised? For driving with a broken brake light of which I had no knowledge? Could I be blamed for that? At the time, this simply shocked me. I follow any and all rules. Every single law. Is it my fault I unknowingly had a problem with my vehicle? Now that I knew, I would fix it. Did I deserve this uncomfortable incident at all?

THIS STORY HAS A POINT, TRUST ME!

At the time, I felt very high and mighty. I mean, how DARE this cop pull me over and rudely berate me? Me? Miss Goody-Two-Shoes? Had I been speeding? No. Had I done anything reckless in the thirty seconds since I'd exited the parking lot? No. Had I received a ticket? No. I should be thankful! But instead I stewed about it for quite awhile. It wasn't until several months later that I realized this cop (probably unknowingly himself) had done me a favor. Sorta.

You see, last week I pulled out my driver's license for some silly reason. Probably to show Ava. And for funsies I glanced at all the information therein. Guess what? It had expired LAST December. Over six months ago! How did the cop miss that? Certainly I would have received a ticket for that infraction! So here I go again, breaking the law without even realizing it. Me! Shocker!

Still, I thought, how could I be blamed for that? How many people truly look at the expiration date on their license? I mean, come on, right?!? I'd just promptly renew said license and move on. Right?

Wrong.

So wrong that the rest of this story truly humbled me. Apparently, within the parameter of Indiana law, one CAN be punished for unknowingly screwing with the rules. Boy, was I ever humbled....

.....to be continued. Check back later for Part 2: Learning a Lesson to hear the rest of this story.