Handcuffs

It has been a rough, few months. The first in a string of tragedies and difficult events was my father’s passing a few months ago. I went to Flint Michigan for my father's funeral and to bring my mother back here. Ah and what a trip is was! What a week from hell. To top it off, the “Dashing Doctor” was suppose to fly in to be with me, and ended up cancelling because of the tropical storm in North Carolina. (Just for the record, his flight left on time).

My mom was such a basket case by Friday night (the night before we were going to leave for Australia) she said to me and Nick: "I know there is something important that I have to do tomorrow, but, I just can't think of what it is". Me and Nick just looked at each other. I said "ah...mom??? you are leaving for Australia tomorrow?" “Ah yes, I knew there was something important I had to do tomorrow”. Oohhhh.....kayyy.....

But, the crowning moment was on Friday. My sister, Charna, went with me to the library so that we could use the internet to get my mom's vistor’s visa. That turned out to be too complicated, so, we went to AAA to get it there, which is conveniently located by the mall. So, of course, Charna wanted to go shopping. After I dragged her out of Macy's, we finally got in mom's car and headed home, late as usual.

I noticed that this police car seemed to be following me. I knew I wasn't doing anything wrong, I hadn't been drinking (well, I had a drink at lunch time, but, that was hours ago), and I was adhering to the speed limit. Yet, I would switch lanes, they would switch lanes. Charna said "pull into a parking lot", and I said no, I am not doing anything wrong. I looked again, and they were gone, they had pulled into a Kmart parking lot. Shew, just my imagination. Yet, a few minutes later, there they were - again! Now, I was really getting nervous. Sure enough "WHOOP, WHOOP", and the blue lights start flashing. It is a 4 land busy road with no shoulder, so, I just eased over to the cube and turned off the car. I then look in my rear view mirror, and was stunned to see that the police office had his door open and was crouched behind it, and was pointing a gun...AT ME!

He yelled "DRIVER - THROW your keys on the road".
I threw my keys out into the road.
He yelled at me to GET OUT OF THE CAR NOW and S L O W L Y and put my hands up in the air where he could see them.
I got out of the car S L O W L Y and put my hands up in the air where he could see them.
He then yelled at me to turn around and walk backward S L O W L Y with my hands up in the air.

By now, the Mexicans across the street are all hanging out their windows and on their porches to watch the show.

I had to KNEEL ON THE ROAD, of a 4 lane major artery into the city, at which point, he ran up and slapped the handcuffs on me! all this time, I have NO IDEA what is going on. He then pushed me into the back of the first squad car.

At this point, there are now THREE squad cars there, including a sheriff and a female officer, whom I am assuming was there to escort us to jail so we couldn't say that anything "inappropriate" was done.
He then left me in the squad car, sitting sideways because my hands were cuffed behind me. the handcuff were on SO TIGHT that I did not have proper circulation in my left hand for 2 DAYS afterward.

So, what was all this about? I still didn't know. they put my sister in the other squad car. Well, as it turns out, when they were driving behind me, they ran the plate. and it showed up as a stolen vehicle. So, instead of doing a little bit of research, they immediate pull me over and put me through that. as it turns out, there was a car with a TEXAS plate with the same number as my moms that had been reported stolen. HELLO??? DID YOU NOT THINK TO CHECK ON THIS FIRST?????!!!!!!

When the knuckle head had finally figured it out, and ask us for our addresses - she said California and I said Australia. He said "what are you doing in Flint? " we said "We are here to go to our FATHER'S FUNERAL!" and then you put us through that! I just said, "may I leave now????" Can you believe that sh*t??? Then, we were REALLY late getting home and my sister in law was even more pissed at me. yes, it was a delightful trip. :-)


Welcome back to the US! I have to say, I was never so glad to go back to work in my life!! I tell you, when we landed on Australian soil, I just wanted to kiss the ground that I was going to walk on!