Uh No Officer...

Today was a day like others - errands to run, shopping to do, playtime, lunch, nap, rides in a police car. Avery and I dropped Will off at school, passed our neighborhood, and headed back up 1604. We were going up to the Saturn dealership for a routine oil change 2,000 miles overdue. I admit we are slow about proper maintenance, just like we are slow with a lot of things. Dave has a longer to do list than mine so I opted to knock it out of the way - finally.

Avery and I ventured bravely to the service writer who was very nice:
"I have a knocking sound under the hood, I need an oil change, and could you wash the car extra nice?" "Can you do this for me, while I head over to Academy."
(Even with an oil change, you gotta have a little fun!)

Again, the service man was really nice and said: "No, problem and we'll get a porter to drive you to where you want to go."

Normal people would be excited to get a free ride anywhere. And Saturn is right off the service road of a major highway (I-35). But, me, well I'm not so normal (but I try). Truthfully, I was looking at a great way to waste time. I don't like to ask for things, much less a ride to a window shopping expedetion. I don't really have to go, but Poor Avery (and Mommy) would be so bored, waiting.

So the porter drives us and drops us off right at the door.
"Call us when your ready to be picked up."

I walk in, check out the shoes, take a few laps, and I am ready to go. Avery and I head out the door, I turn on my phone, and nothing happens. It's dead, no lights, no battery sign, no nothing. Opps - so we head out onto the service road.

We were walking, no problems, it's a little scary, but Avery and I are so far off the road, I worry more about the stickers and rock piles we're scaling over than cars veering off the service road. We reach a bridge, and I realize this wasn't a good idea. I pick up Avery and run - on the service road, with her bouncing in my arms and laughing. The bridge is nothing more than a rail over a little ditch so I hop back over and we're back in the clear, only a few more hundred yards to go.
As I look down at my flip flops and wish I hadn't worn them and car passes slowly. I hear gravel underneath the tires and I look up.

It's a police car - no doubt about it. The police man rolls down his window, and my skin immediatly flushes.

I know I'm in trouble.

So I break the ice:
"Hi, I'm getting my car serviced and we were just walking back to pick it up."
Get in the car Ma'am." Oh, man I am in trouble.
"I have the baby." I say.
"She's okay in the back." He answers. But really I want to ask him where his baby seat is.

So off we go and I'm talking, which I do when I'm nervous, and I'm shaking in my boots thinking I'm gonna get a ticket. I'm going to jail. I'm going to get my child taken away from me - reckless mother walks on the service road with child.
We head a hundred feet and turn into Saturn. Phew! He takes my name and phone number, talks to someone on the radio and heads out WITHOUT ME! All I see is the service man shaking his head. I duck in like a teenager who's been caught and wait patiently for 2 hours for an oil change in the lobby like the rest of the more intelligent, childless Saturn patrons.

I won't be doing that one again BUT I've never been in the back of a police car and I hope this is the only time my 19 month old ever does.