I’m easing away from the stop sign, turning right onto the main road, when I see it. The car is squatting in a shadowed lay-by, ready to pounce. My heart thumps.
Did I come to a complete stop?
I thhhhhinnnnnk so. I’m not 100% sure. I drive the short distance to my next turn turn, flick on my blinker and glance in the rear view mirror.
Oh, crap! It’s pulling out.
I watch it pull onto the main road as I make my turn off of it and proceed down the hill. I keep one eye on the road ahead and another behind me.
Is it turning onto this road?
My breath hitches.
Please no please no please no!
Oh, no! Yes! It is! But, there are no flashing lights. At least not yet.
My pulse skitters.
Am I going to get a ticket? Oh, no! What will that do to my insurance rates?
I eye the speedometer, keeping it right at 35 mph. I drive onward. There are still no flashing lights, but I feel its presence behind me like a nemesis.
Maybe they’re running my plates. Will it show that I’ve never had a moving violation? Ever! In more than 40 years of driving! Shouldn’t that count for something?
I continue driving, trying to talk myself off the ledge of my incipient free fall into panic, keeping my speed right at the limit.
There’s nothing you can do now. If you get a ticket, you get a ticket. It’s not the end of the world.
I wrest my eyes from the ominous headlights behind me and try to keep them on the road ahead…when they’re aren’t glued to the speedometer.
Maybe I should turn off this road just to see if it follows…
A crossroads is up ahead.
Will it turn off? Should I?
I keep on driving. I hold my breath, and pass the turn, continuing on my regular route.
Is it slowing? Maybe just a little? Yes! Yes! It is! And the blinker’s on. It’s turning!!!
I watch it start to turn down the road that leads away from me.
Immediate relief seeps through my body. My hands loosen their death grip on the steering wheel. I take a deep breath.
Phew!
I glance back to ensure that it’s well and truly on its way. But wait…what?!
My foot lifts off the gas. I look behind me again, able now to see the full silhouette of the car. The silhouette that does not look like a police car… Not At All.
My mind whirls.
Wait, was that even a police car? Or was I mistaken all along?
Nix the comfort zone 
I was right there with you in full panic mode! No tickets ever is an achievement I also work to protect.
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PS — Great title!!! 😉
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It was slightly ridiculous how worked up I got! lol
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You had my heart pounding this morning. No need for a brisk walk today – – workout: checked. I know that fear. I know it well, and you describe it so authentically, giving us the play by play of what is behind you and what is within you. I’m so glad you didn’t get a ticket…..or a citizen’s arrest…..(now we can breathe and laugh). Awesome post!
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You had me going. No need for a workout today – – my heart rate got going and I got the full benefit of a 5K with your post today. It’s so accurate, the way you describe what is happening behind you and within you. I know all too well the grip of the steering wheel, the presence so THERE that it’s like it is a cloud engulfing you. Well done, and now you have inspired me to slow down and fully stop this morning.
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I felt the same way! My heart was racing! I’ve been quite sure to fully stop at that stop sign every day since!
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I have had this same experience and the anxiety about getting caught doing something wrong on the road is real! I love the pacing of this and the inner dialogue with parts using italics – such clever craft moves!
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Thanks! I was having quite a conversation with myself! lol
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I’m riding with you…never a moving violation but have had that same palm sweating fear a couple of times. I kind of figure that car (sometimes the police, sometimes) is a ‘hint’ for me to refocus and mind my driving P’s and Q’s. Glad you didn’t get a ticket! :)
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I’m very relieved I didn’t get a ticket. I like the idea to think of the moment as a nudge toward more mindful driving behavior.
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Your strong use of verbs and sensory language made my heart pound with worry. Glad you didn’t get that ticket!
What a vivid slice you wrote! Would I be able to use it as a BE INSPIRED piece in March? If so, please email me with your permission and the permalink. THANK YOU!
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I’m glad, too! I’d be delighted to have you use this in March and e-mailed you the link. Thanks for asking!
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Wow, glad to know someone else reacts to police vehicles like I do. I start to panic about the paperwork they will want to see, etc. This is such a strong piece and perfect example of capturing one’s voice. I used to ask my students to write like this on occasion. Your post is the perfect example!
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Oh my! I hadn’t even thought about the paperwork which should be in glove compartment. Now I’ll have something else to add to my panicked inner dialogue! lol
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I felt as though I was reading my life journey, or at least my trip to school this morning. Having had numerous moving violations, aka speeding tickets, I’m quite familiar w/ the anticipation of being pulled over and the anxiety produced thinking about racking up so many points I’d lose my license. I’ve come close, but I was young and have not had a ticket since 2015 when I hit the little girl on her bicycle, the little girl who rode her bike onto the street from across her lawn and into the path of my Mustang.
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Oh my gosh, Glenda! That sounds horrifying! I hope she was okay.
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She had a broken toe. She was wearing a helmet, and it cracked. I was going very slowly.
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Bwa-ha-ha-ha! I felt like I was riding shotgun with you on your journey but you were saying the quiet parts out loud. Well done, Molly!
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Thanks, Bridget. It was a loud ride to school in my head! lol
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[…] Hogan‘s slice, “Taken for a Ride,” will put you in full panic mode in the car, riding beside her. Notice how she uses various […]
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I could feel my heart start to race while reading this! You captured this feeling so well, especially when you shared your inner dialogue. So glad this is featured on TWT today!
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Clever title, vivid word choice, and excellent pacing that read like a thriller. The back and forth description and internal dialogue kept me guessing.
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Such a great job building suspense! Haven’t all driver’s wondered about the car in the rear view mirror? Thank you for sharing a wonderful slice!
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Molly, I enjoyed the tense car ride but thought about the times I was stopped. It is su upsetting to reckon with the police car behind. Your slice is an excellent example of tension we bring to everyday life whether it is warranted or not. Thanks for keeping me in suspense until the end.
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