Legalities vs Emotions (part 4)

As I sit in my car mulling over my new theory that this whole accident can't be pinned completely on me, I notice a Georgia State Patrol car pass by. Hmmm, surely they wouldn't send the GA State Patrol. I dismiss the thought and continue rehearsing the speech I will give to the Douglas County officer when he shows up to the accident. I look in my rearview mirror and notice the GA State Patrol car making a u-turn and pulling up behind me. That's just perfect.

My experience with the Georgia State Patrol officers is that they tend to be completely impervious to my tears or batting eyelashes; "What's the point of "looking" young and being beautiful if I'm going to get traffic tickets anyhow?", I ask myself. He sits in his car for what feels like an eternity. When he begins to open his car door, Laura jumps out immediately and stands in between our cars. Great. I get out very slowly, and saunter over to where she is standing. I fling my hair over my shoulder and smile in an effort to exude grace and confidence. I actually wanted to pee on myself, but that's probably TMI. The officer walks over to us and asks for our insurance info and our driver's licenses. We hand him our information. I promise you I'm not making this next part up.

The Georgia State Patrol officer looks at me, then looks at Laura, looks back to me again and says, "Why don't you come with me over to my patrol car and talk to me." Wow, um, okay. I didn't have to worry about Laura's reaction to my statement after all! So I walk over with the officer to his car, continuing to fling my hair and smile in a relentless attempt to portray an innocent person (which I honestly feel I am, by the way). I tell the officer what happened and before I can present my theory to him on who's at fault, he stops me. "This is weird", he says. "It's like, you're BOTH at fault here!" Wow. I didn't even have to convince him, or be my normal "flirty" (as Chris calls it) self to persuade him to see things my way! He came to his conclusion based on my exact description of the events as they took place.

He then asks me to get back into my car, while he goes to Laura's car to talk with her. I can't hear what is being said, but I can tell by Laura's face that she is becoming increasingly confused by his statements/questions. They get out of her car, walk right past my car, and she points down the road to where we collided. What the heck is she saying to him!! I already have him convinced, Laura, don't go messing things up!! They walk past my car again, Laura gets back into her car, and the officer stops by my car and says, "I'm going to call in the accident and write up the citations I'll be back shortly."

After what feels like ANOTHER eternity, he walks over to my car, and hands me back my license and insurance information. He says, "I'll be back", and proceeds to Laura's car. Whatever he is telling her has her pretty animated. Her head is shaking back and forth a bit. Finally, she drives off, as the officer walks back to my car. He hands something to me through the window. Lovely, I'm getting a ticket. As I take it from him, I read across the top of the citation "Courtesy Warning". No WAY!! A "warning" ticket from a Georgia State Patrol officer? He then goes on to tell me that we were both at fault, and that he won't cite either of us for the accident. I was pleased as punch to hear this! He even told me that my front tire looked like it was running out of air due to the accident, and that I would need to stop by a gas station to take care of it. So I thank him, drive off, and pass 5 gas stations to go to my favorite "QT". Guess who is behind me all the way into the gas station? You got it, the officer. After I begin putting air into my tire, he drives off waving. This guy really gives law enforcement a great name, I tell you.

I arrive safely at work (and still on time, mind you). My car has a few scratches on it, and a part of the headlight was broken, but no big deal. I am just happy to travel the remainder of my journey to work safely, and hopefully put the accident behind me and move on with my life. Of course, things don't turn out that way AT ALL.

The conclusion of Legalities vs Emotions coming soon.