"Lucy Goes Shopping

                                                      “Lucy Goes Shopping”





      I was hurrying to get out of the car when I saw the police car approaching.  When I heard the wailing siren, I definitely panicked. Grabbing my purse to hurry inside, I quickly shut and locked the doors. I realized, after locking the car, my keys and phone were still laying on the front seat. I’m going to miss the sales!



    The police car pulled up beside me and an officer jumped out, telling me to stay put. He asked to see my driver’s license and insurance card. His lights were flashing and he was causing a scene. I told him I needed to call my husband to bring an extra key. A crowd had gathered and I asked to borrow a cell phone.



    “You did what? I can’t hear you for all that noise. What is going on there?” my husband asks me.



    “I said I locked my keys and cell phone in the car! What? Oh, that. That’s the alarm and I will never be able to shut it off, until you get down here.”



    “Why are you so absent-minded, Lucy?”



    Why did my husband always want the stupid details in an emergency?  He calls me Lucy when ever he thinks I do dumb things. I couldn’t help that I had a dozen things to do including the huge Columbus Day Sale. I had three more errands to do after the mall. He was watching football. So, I returned the favor.



    “Well now.  Lookie here, Ricky.  Stop your lecturing and get down here to the mall with the extra key! It’s not like you haven’t ever done something stupid. Remember Florida? Remember when you locked your keys inside our SUV? On top of that, when we pulled out of the parking lot, you swiped the side of another car, taking off the side mirror? Huh? Remember that one?”



    The policeman grew impatient with me and I didn’t understand why. Can’t he see I'm in a dilemma here?



    “Ma’m, please! You need to answer some questions here.”



    “Who’s that talking?” My husband was so nosey!



    “It’s a policeman, dear.” I quickly proceeded to tell him that I had accidentally knocked down a stop sign while turning into the parking lot.



    “And you left the scene of an accident?  Are you crazy? I’m on my way now.  Is the insurance card in the glove compartment?”



    “How would I know, Ricky.  Duh! The car is locked!”



    I could hardly hear the policeman’s questions because of my car alarm and the many questions my husband was asking.  The officer had drawn a crowd and I wished my husband would hurry up and get down here.  It was embarrassing!



    “How long will this take officer? I really need to get going. I have shopping to do and other errands. I’m running late as it is.”



    Ma’m? How did you knock that stop sign down? Didn’t you see it?”



    “Of course I saw it. I was running late and trying to get over to the right lane. Like I’ve said, I was in a hurry to get to the big sale.”



    My husband finally showed up with the key to unlock the car.  There on the seat lay my keys and cell phone.  He retrieved the insurance card and gave it to the officer.



    After checking the card, writing down comments and handing it back to my husband, the officer turned back to me.



    “I still don’t understand. How did you hit that humongous sign? Is there anything else you haven’t told me?”

    What was he really asking me? I know he was fishing to see if I had been drinking, smoking Mary J’s, taking pills or whatever he could think of.



      “Well for one thing, officer. I know now not to talk on the cell phone while driving.”



    “Is there more to this story?”



    “Well, of course.  Let me start at the beginning, so there is no misunderstanding. I started to text my husband to ask him what color underwear he preferred. You see, officer, this is the biggest sale of the season and I....... .”   





                                            The End



"Inker"