Jack took a long look
at his spedometer
before slowing down: 
73 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,
Jack pulled over, 
but only partially.
Let the cop worry about the 
potential traffic hazzard.
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? 
Jack 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. 
Fancy meeting you like this."

"Hello, Jack." 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."
Jack 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. 
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, Jack, in the car."

Flustered, 
Jack hunched himself 
through the still-open door.
Slamming it shut, 
he stared at the dash board.
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 Jack 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.

Jack rolled down the window 
a mere two inches,
just enough room for Bob 
to pass him the slip.

"Thanks." 
Jack could not quite keep 
the sneer out of his voice.

Bob returned to his police car 
without a word.
Jack watched his retreat 
in the mirror.
Jack 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.

Jack began to read:


      
Jack turned around 
in time to see
Bob's car pull away 
and head down the road.

Jack 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.

Drive safely 
and carefully. 
Remember, 
cars are not the only thing 
recalled by their maker.