Joe took a long look at his speedometer before
slowing down: 73 mph 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, Joe
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?
Joe sunk farther into his trench coat. This was
worse than the coming ticket. A Christian 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. Fancymeeting you like this."
"Hello, Joe." 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." Joe 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-one. 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, Joe, in the car."
Flustered, Joe 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
Joe 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. Joe
rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for
Bob to pass him the slip.
"Thanks."
Joe could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice.
Bob returned to his car without a word. Joe watched
his retreat in the mirror. Joe 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. Joe began to read:
"Dear Joe,
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. Athousand times I thought I had.
Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now.
Pray for me. And be careful. My son is all I have
left.
"Bob"
Joe turned around in time to see Bob's car pull away
and head down the road. Joe 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. This is an
important message, please pass it along to your friends.
Drive safely and carefully
Remember - Cars are not the only thing recalled by
their maker.
~~Author Unknown
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