Scene of Crime: 4th South and State Street (Downtown SLC, UT)
Mother (Me) & Daughter (Adeline) in the car on the way to a Christmas night out together
Adeline: Hey Mom, what's that big white building?
Me: Oh, that's the County Courthouse honey
Adeline: what's a County Courthouse?
Me: Well, it's where people go when they make bad choices and have to talk to a judge and find out their consequence for the bad decision
Adeline: Do some people have to go to JAIL?
Me: yes, sometimes people have to go to jail if they make a bad enough choice. So, make sure that you always make good choices because....blah, blah,blah...you get the picture it was a typical sieze the moment time to give a good talking to about choices and consequences and I was not about to pass up the opportunity! You Mom's out there know what I'm talking about right? Right!
3 blocks later, sitting at a red light
Adeline: Mom, why is there a police car behind us with his lights on?
Me: I don't know, I'm just sitting here at a red light minding my own business, maybe he needs to get past...I'll just pull to the side here and let him get past....UUHHH, why is he pulling behind me instead of moving along???
Adeline: why is he shining that bright light on us?
Me: I don't know honey, I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding, don't worry!
Wait, Wait, Wait...
Officer: Maam, were you aware that you ran a red light 3 blocks back?
Me: Oh....Uh....No, I thought that was yellow...(when in doubt, play dumb, right?)
Officer: It was yellow, Maam, about 10 yards before you hit the crosswalk then you proceeded through the intersection when it was red.
Me: UUHHH....OOPS?
Officer: Do you have your licence and registration with you?
Me: Yes (fumble, fumble...where did I put that dang registration again...oh, there it is)
Adeline: What's going on? Cry, Sob, Cry, Sob...I'm scared!
Me: Sorry, Officer we are having a small melt down...
Officer: Why? is it because of me???
Me: (in my head: DUH! Yes, it's because of you...) out of my mouth: Yes, I've never even been pulled over and she's not sure about this whole thing.
Officer: It's okay sweetie
Me: (in my head again: really? that's all you got? It's okay sweetie?)
Officer: Please remain in your car, Maam, i'll be back in a few minutes
Wait, Wait, Wait...
Me: Adeline, it's fine...I probably did run that red light back there so he's just going to give me a warning and that will be that! (in my head: he's going to see when he enters in my info. into his computer that I've never been pulled over, let alone gotten a ticket in 20 years so for sure I'm only getting a warning...yes, that's right a warning)
Adeline: Mom...are you going to have to go to the County Courthouse?
Me: No probably not
Adeline: So...you won't have to go to jail?
Me: No...Adeline, it's really okay...it's just a warning to let me know that I should be more careful when I drive...that's all...don't worry sweetie.
Wait...Wait...Wait...
Officer: Okay, Maam, here's your ticket for running the red light...(me in my head: Wait...did he say ticket? he must have meant warning ticket)...Please sign here and call this number in 5 to 14 days....
Me: Okay, thank you officer
Officer: Have a safe night, Maam!
Me: (after officer leaves) What? he totally gave me a ticket?
Moral of the story: Don't break the law while seizing the moment to give your child a "Choices and Consequences talk!)
F.Y.I...T hasn't stopped laughing since he heard the story...ha, ha, ha very funny honey!
