The other car stopped parallel to mine, but I barely noticed.
Tap, tap, tap. I jumped. I didn’t even look up to notice the other driver get out and approach me.
I cracked my window, “Hello?”
“Ma’am, I’m Officer Spencer, Are you okay?”
“I-I-I’m fine,” I stuttered.
“You swerved and stopped suddenly.” I looked up at the person standing by my window. He was holding up a police badge. That was when I realized the other car was lit up with flashing lights.
“I had to stop so I didn’t hit the person in the road.” I stuttered.
The cop stared blankly at my face and then allowed his eyes to explore the interior of my vehicle. “License and registration, please.”
“D--d--did you see that? Did you see the guy?” I asked breathlessly. “I almost hit him.” My hands were shaking. My voice was cracked and raspy.
“License and registration,” he repeated.
I obeyed by fishing out the papers as requested.
“Vanessa Scanlon. Can you tell me where you are going?”
“I’m headed home.”
“Do you need me to call someone for you? Have you been drinking or taking any drugs, err, Ms. Scanlon?”
“What? No… no. What kind of question is that?”
“Where have you been tonight?” he asked, ignoring my question.
“Work. I’m a waitress at the bar.”
“You’ll have to forgive me. I’m not from ‘round here. Where is the bar?”
I pointed behind me. “Where is the man?”
“Ms. Scanlon, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s the guy walking in the road that you should be talking to.”
“What guy?”
“There was a man straight in front of me on the road. He wouldn’t move. I almost couldn’t stop.” My voice was hysterical.
“There wasn’t anyone out here.”
“Yes, there was. I mean, I saw him.” I couldn’t believe his questions. Of course, there was someone in front of my car. “I’m not crazy. I know what I saw. I almost hit him.”
“No, there wasn’t. Ma’am, please step out of the car.” He opened my car door, and I stepped out.
“I’m not on anything and I'm not crazy.”
“I understand. Tell me about your day.”
“To be honest, I am exhausted. I’ve had a really long day.” Officer Spencer’s held worry in his blue eyes. “It’s been a long week.” I repeated in a strong tone.
“Walk this line,” he ordered. I did as he said. “Breathe into this.” He handed me a breathalyzer. Again, I did as he said. He had me do a few more sobriety tests, passing them all. “Well, nothing I can detect.” He took a deep breath. “Are you sure you are just tired?”
“This has been an ungodly twenty-four hours. I was called in to work a double tonight. So not to be rude, but yes, I’m exhausted and just want to go home.” I spilled out in a matter-of-fact manner.
He studied my face with a brotherly eye. “At least let me follow you. If you’re this tired, I’d feel better knowing you arrived home safely.”
“Thanks, but I live only about five miles from here. I’ll be fine.” He started to object, but I said, “Really, I’m almost there.”
“Are you sure? I really don’t mind.”
“I’m sure, but I do thank you for the offer. If it were further, I’d take you up on that,” I said to make him feel better.
“You’re the new cop in town,” I said to distract him. It worked.
“Yeah. I guess word travels quickly.”
“This is true. Where are you from?”
He softly laughed. “I’m surprised you don’t already know.”
I returned his laugh with a chuckle. “Oh, I’ve heard rumors that include a lot of scenarios.” The rumors in town didn’t give his good looks enough credit. He stood a little over six feet and was well built. His eyes were baby blue. Any girl, including me, would be jealous of those dark eyelashes. I took a quick glance to observe a naked left hand.
He laughed. “Of course you have.” He nervously cleared his throat. “I’m from Chicago.”
“Chicago? Really?”
“Yes.”
“That’s quite a distance from excitement to boring. What are you doing here?”
“I’m still trying to figure that one out.” His words were cautious but playful.
“Hmph. Okay. Well, I’m going to head home. Thanks for,” I smiled. “Everything you do.”
“And what did I do exactly?” he said, flirtatiously.
“You know, keeping your town safe and all.” A giggle accidentally escaped.
“You are welcome, Ms. Scanlon.” His smile was warm. He was definitely flirting with me.
“May I go now?”
“Of course. Here’s my card in case you need anything. Have a good night, Ma’am.”
Ugh, I really wished he wouldn’t call me that. We both got into our cars. He waited for me to get a waze down the road before heading the opposite direction.
That ended well, at least, I thought. I’m sure he thought I was mental or on something that he couldn’t detect with his fancy tests. I was too tired to care. I knew there was someone in my lane.
“It’s my sister’s fault. If she’d just left me alone, then all this weird crap wouldn’t be happening,” I said aloud to no one.
Our entire life Shannon could generally be blamed for everything. After all, she was the black sheep. Mom used to come bursting into my bedroom at two in the morning looking for her because she hadn’t come home that night. I had to endure the random midnight checks given that she had a bad habit of sneaking
