And ending the above sentence with a preposition.
There I was, minding my own business, heading home after hiking with the dog and running an errand to pick up a styrofoam shipping container so I could send a big bunch of freshly harvested eggplant and chilies to my daughter when all of a sudden a number of events occurred almost simultaneously:
The auditory pathways of my brain registered a pop, I was showered with glass and Jake, sitting on the passenger seat behind me, let out a high-pitched shriek.
It took a millisecond for my brain to grasp all of the above.
My first thought was the dog. Had he been injured? I pulled to the curb and reached into the back seat, dragging Jake into the front passenger seat. I didn’t see any blood, couldn’t feel a wound.
I put on my emergency flashers and dialed 9-1-1. And then I leashed Jake and got out of the car. As I stared at the shards of safety glass all over my car, literally all over the interior of my car, my heart began to pound and I started shaking. I’m not the hysterical type, but I did sort of feel like crying as I waited for the police to arrive.
Someone had taken a shot at me- from a car driving the opposite way. Whoever it was had probably been aiming at the driver’s window but missed and hit the passenger window.
Jesus. This is not something you expect to happen on a quiet semi-rural street in small town California at 9:30 in the morning.
Chances are it was a pellet gun. The only reason I say that is because once the officer got there he and he searched for some sort of exit hole on the other side of the car and couldn’t find one, although I did have the window open on the opposite side and any projectile would likely have gone straight through because it didn’t hit the dog.
It was definitely not a rock. A. The officer and I couldn’t find a rock or any sort of debris on the street and B. I didn’t hear a crash or a thud, I heard a pop at almost the exact same instance the window shattered.
Anyway, the police officer was great. He made me feel better and he was really nice to Jake. Jake liked him a lot.
Then something happened that could only happen to me. (Cuz being shot at ain’t weird enough.) After the officer and I had talked and inspected my vehicle and searched the area, he called for backup. He said, “Wait here. I’d like to get another set of eyes on the scene and you’ll need a case number for your insurance company.” So we’re waiting and…
This gold Lexus pulls up to the curb in front of me. The officer and I both look, and we’re both thinking, Oh, good. Maybe someone witnessed the event.
So this older guy gets out of his car and he walks up to us, right past my shattered window, jagged pieces of safety glass everywhere, and he says, “Got caught speeding, did ya? Serves ya right.”
And that police officer stepped in front of me and laid into this man like you wouldn’t believe. My hero!
And then the guy has the nerve to persist and he says, “I want to make a complaint. I got a ticket for…”
And the officer says, “Sir, get back in your car. I’ll talk to you when we’re finished. This is a crime scene.”
And the guy says, “But…”
And the officer says, “Sir, get back in your car NOW.” (Shades of Reese Witherspoon!)
Instead the guy walks over to my dog and says, “Hey, can I pet your dog? And he grabs for him. Jake, who had been a love with the police man, didn’t growl but he gave the guy a nasty look and moved away from him.
So the guy leans over, reaches for Jake, and says, “C’mere, doggie doggie doggie…”
And the officer says, “Sir, if you don’t get back in your car right NOW I’m going to cite you for disorderly conduct, handcuff you, and take you down to the station.”
I was tempted to let Jake bite the guy’s nuts off. Which Jake is perfectly capable of doing. And I’m certain the police officer would not have said boo.
Anyway, the glass people come to replace the window today. I’d have taken a picture but there’s nothing to see- the window simply doesn’t exist anymore. The entire window imploded, which I think is what safety glass is intended to do. It’s not supposed to be sharp, but I did get my hands cut up brushing fragments and slivers from the dog. Fortunately his long hair protected him.
I think this is enough excitement for the week. Don’t you?
Holy shit! I’m the one who is supposed to be dying not you or Jake!
There are some morons about, bit over here reading this even close to home in that it involves a beautiful, caring wonderful friend, it doesn’t seem that strange that this has happened to you, cos it’s the land of the free and the rave and the gun and we expect to hear these things, but not to friends…..
Shit, shit and double shit, and well done to the policeman for looking after you so galantly, he should have pulled his gazer or his night stick on the arsehole who pulled over and you should have sic’d Jake on his nuts just for good measure, what a (alert) fucking dickhead.
Glad you are ok my sweet xxxxxxxxxxx
Holy crap! I’m just glad to hear that you’re OK!
Holy shit. What is WRONG with people?!?
I’m so glad you’re okay.
p.s. I would PAY to see a pic of Jake biting some noodlehead in the nuts.
FvCK the What!?!?!?!?!
Oh so worried for you. WHat kind of person does either of those things??
I hear shots often but I live in fricking Maine where safety orange is fashionable.
Hugs for you and Jake both. and Oscar who must have freaked out!
Julia-I’m so glad you and Jake are okay. I would have wet my pants. That cop was your deputy angel! Hugs!!!! Sharon
There’s nothing worse than something like that happening anonymously! Probably randomly, but still you’ll be watching and wondering. Sounds like you had a really good police officer…and the guy in the gold Lexus actually served as comic distraction.
But I would also be very happy to pay for a picture if Jake had gone after the guy.
Take care, Julia; the world gets out of balance sometimes, and things can go crazy.
OMG! I am glad you and Jake are all right! And what the @#$# was wrong with that guy? Such a weirdo. Maybe he’s some creep who shoots at people then shows up at the scene. And yay to that police officer!
My husband had the same thing happen to him (drivers side window) but he was on the freeway with no traffic anywhere around him. He heard a pop and the window shattered. The glass guy said once in a while the safety glass gets a little crooked and after a while, it shatters.
I can’t explain the guy in the Lexus though. He’s just plain weird.
Stephanie, if this was an idiopathic event (no explanation) I’m happy. I’d rather think the glass shattered spontaneously.
Yes, Casey, Jake and I are good! And yeah, obnoxious ass!
The world is very out of balance, Marylin. That’s for sure. Almost all my experiences with police officers have been good- they are nice to the nice.
Thanks, Sharon. In some ways I’m so glad it happened to me instead of an old lady or a young mother with a baby in the backseat.
Thanks, Steph. The aftermath hit me harder than the event itself.
Jaye - thanks for making me laugh! I shoulda let Jake bite him. I hope this doesn’t happen to anyone else.
Thanks, Mat. Yes, fine. I think I was a little shocky yesterday. Better today.
What do I always tell you, Tom? Today I might get hit by a bus? I’m all good, so is Jake.
I wonder if the guy in the gold Lexus is the one who fired? He sounds like a nutcase.
I’m grateful you and Jake are okay!
I was wondering same thing, Katalina. Criminal always comes back to scene of crime. And the way he went on and on and on. Makes me wonder.
I am so glad you and Jake are OK. Do you even remotely think it is Russia?
I would make extra certain my doors are shut and windows too before bed tonight. I am big time worry wart.
Scary stuff. Hope it was just a crooked window.
OMG, Roberta! I didn’t even think about Russia! LOL! Maybe I should… No, wasn’t the guy. There was no gold Lexus passing me when this happened.
He was definitely obnoxious, Kat. Not him. And thank you!
Oh, my! So happy you’re okay. Ditto, Jake! Double ditto, good for the cop!
Thank God, you weren’t hurt, but how scary! And the guy who showed up, unbelievable! Again, glad you’re okay. Hugs.
OMG, Julia, that is way past scary. So glad you’re alright.
Anny, not to be weird or anything but isn’t this stuff supposed to happen in Baltimore?!? Thank and we are fine.
Thanks, Diana. And here you are, posting about gun violence today.
Yes, I’m okay, Sandra. Been out and about in my son’s car, not too shell-shocked!
OMG. I’m glad you and Jake are okay.
Oh, noooooo!
I’m glad you’re okay.
What the H— is wrong with people!!! *hugs* I’m glad you’re all right, Julia. What a day! Sheesh. If I was that cop I woulda hauled that crazy dude’s butt to jail.
The fick….
I agree, Juli. Yup, crazy ficks out there!
Thanks, Margaret. I’m fine.
Thank you Amber sweetie!