Criminal

Dear diary,

OMG!!!

Did I ever get a surprise tonight! Things like this don't happen to people like me. I'm just the old working mom. Sure wasn't a nice surprise.

I gotta tell you, I think my blood pressure was up. I just wanted to know what was happening. Shock is still happening, I think.

My heart is still beating fast. And I'm home in bed, safe and sound. At least I hope I am. Who's to say that I really am safe.

So glad my kids weren't with me. Never want them in a situation like that.

On the plus side, dear diary, I didn't get shot. I gotta be here from my family. And feed them.

It's kind of a crazy story but here it goes. Like normal I worked late. Hot, tired and the usual stress of my day holding me down. You know, the same ship a different day.

It was getting dark hubby isn't feeling well. Maybe his heart is acting up again. I hope and pray it isn't. We can't take more anymore of that. It was absolute hell the last time. Anyway, so he hadn't been up for getting groceries. No food, no supper.

Peter was already hangry. My son sure gets so grumpy when he’s hungry. Teenagers. It was decided that I'd get food to feed everyone and calm the grumps.

Kevin called the pizza place and ordered a pizza. I drove off in the dark to pick it up. The 20 minute drive into the town was good, peace and quiet. No animals ran out in front of me. I was so tired I had one thing to finish. To feed the hungry wolves. Too funny. They wouldn't think so. They would be grumpier if they saw this.

So, the drive into town was over. It was late enough there was very little traffic. Drove straight to Panago. Hadn't seen anyone walking guess all the homeless were already sleeping somewhere.

Put my blinker on to park at Panago. When red and blue flashing lights burst from behind my car. As you know I hate flashing lights.

I thought the police were going to pass but not happening. Unbuckling I thought about the ‘almost’ stop I had at the last stop sign. I thought I may deserve a warning or maybe even a ticket. Now we all are stopped, and parked. So, I turn the car off and rolled the window down, next to grab my purse and cell phone.

OK, all good so far. I waited for the officer to come to my window, like they usually do for a traffic violation but they did not come. Thinking that they were running my plates I waited longer. Still no one came to my window. The car dash lights turned off and I can’t see the time. 6 or 7 minutes waiting. I thought I should just go get my pizza because it was possible the police weren’t there for me. Looking in the rear-view mirror I could see the driver standing beside the car. They must be here for me. Maybe the computers are slow and haven’t gotten my info yet.

Didn't feel normal. I felt on edge. Wanting to know what was going on I called out the window. I asked what seemed to be the problem.

“Stay in the vehicle, ma’am. Please keep your hands where I can see them.”

I called back to them I just wanna know what was going on.

I decided to text Kevin and let him know I may be late getting the pizza.

“Ma’am, please put your cell phone down and keep your hands where I can see them out the window.”

We sat longer. I was getting nervous; really nervous. And suddenly another suburban pulled up across the two lanes of traffic with his bumper very close to my door. Of course, with the bright and shining flashing lights straight into my eyes. Now I knew there was something really bad going on, but what?

The thoughts running through my mind was ‘oh shit! What’s happening?’ I knew I needed to be as calm as I could.

Then I called out the window; could he please tell me what was going on and that I was there to pick up a pizza from Panago.

The newly arrived officer said that he needed to briefed on the situation.

All I could think was what situation? What was happening?

I tried to look in the mirror to see if they were holding a gun on me. I could kind of see his face but not his lower body because of the lights blocking it out. Must have been 15 minutes by then, just sitting there waiting.

Still holding my hands out the window I called out once more can somebody please tell me what the problem was.

All I got was, “please stay calm, ma'am. Please be patient.”

Ahh, hello?!? I think I’ve been quite patient and calm.

Then I asked what time it was and the young officer said, “I don't wear a watch.” All I could think was thanks for the help.

I knew it must be getting close to the closing time for the pizza joint. I figured I probably had another 10 minutes when I saw an employee peek out the window. Her eyes got big and round when she backed away and turned and rushed back away from the window out of sight. I think that kind of confirmed that I had a gun hand on me, but I still couldn't be sure. I think the adrenaline hit but I was still scared.

“Can no one tell me what’s happening? I am confused.” The silence, the avoidance, the waiting only made it worse with nothing but ‘please be patient ma'am.’ I have to say I kind of hate that phrase now. I waited with my hands held out the window. Boy, that got very uncomfortable after so long. All I could do was stare around me and wonder. Just wonder. What the heck was happening over and over.

It crossed my mind that they were playing a joke on me. But I knew it wasn't. It was something serious but what what?

I called out that my pizza was getting cold and they were closing soon. Felt like maybe I was kind of pushing my luck but what else could I do?

And I waited longer.

The young officer asked if there was anyone else in the vehicle with me. Told him no, they are home waiting for pizza.

Sitting and waiting around half an hour when suddenly the officer from the second vehicle said that they were sorry to have held me there so long and that the first officer would explain the situation, then drove off.

The officer from the first police car came up to my window. He looked contrite. He apologized. Then said i fit the description of a white female in a grey Toyota Camry that was involve in a shooting shortly before. My car fit the colour, made and model. And did I.

What the hell?!?

“You must understand how this happened as you fit the description exactly. I hope you are able to get your pizza. And if you have any more questions, feel free to call.”

He handed me his card. “I am sorry ma’am. It was that you fit this description so well…” he got interrupted by a call on his radio. “I must go. Please have a good rest of your evening.”

And that was it. They turned off the flashing lights and were gone. I sat there stunned. My suspicions were confirmed. I'd say there was a 99% probability that they had their guns on me. They could have shot me I am would have never known why.

I got the pizza. The cook looked at, “that was you!”

“Yep. Sitting in front of your store while you waited for someone to pick up that pizza.” Crazy!!!

I am so glad it’s over. At least, I hope I never have to put up with THAT again. Not in a million years. Had I moved wrong or suddenly…I can’t think about that. I work tomorrow. I need sleep.

Who knew driving to a pizza restaurant could cause so much stress. The next time someone wants pizza I’m not driving!

Good night, dear diary.