Pulled Over

I couldn’t believe it. My rearview was flashing red and blue.

I pulled over and immediately got out and laid down on the concrete. “Step on me,” I said. The cop had barely stepped out of his car. I spoke with such venomous rage that spittle flew from my mouth onto the pavement. I was shaking violently.

“Sir… ? There’s no need for that, sir,” he said, walking over timidly.

My hands were behind my back and I gestured aggressively for him to cuff me. “F— it, cuff me. This day couldn’t get any worse.”

“Sir, I pulled you over because your lights were off. You’re not under arrest.”

“Light me up then,” I said. “Please, you have your chance.”

The cop was stunned into silence. I glanced up at him and saw he was young. Must have been a rookie. Could have been my son. This made me angrier, imagining my own kids seeing me in this state. I guess the only thing for me to do was keep taking it out on this stranger.

“Pretty embarrassing, right? I’m making a fool of myself? Laugh!”

“Sir, I—”

“Getting DESTROYED at the bank. Getting screamed at, at home. And now this. No, please, why don’t you just finish me off? What are you waiting for!”

The young officer’s face was now red and I saw there were some tears in his eyes. Reflecting on my behavior later that night it occurred to me that he probably had plenty of stuff to deal with in his own personal life.