It was early summer but not hot. Sunny with a slight soft breeze. She drove with her elbow on the sill of the open window. They were all against her. Husband, in-laws, parents.
``It's not like you need the money.''
``Your kids will never be this young again. You should stay home and enjoy them.''
``A woman's place is in the home.''
``It's not like the world will suffer. You're not that smart.''
``I really need you at home. It's seventy miles each way. Something could happen.''
``The community college is good enough for every one else.''
When her husband hit her because she wouldn't back down every thing changed.
``Have it your own way.'' her husband said, and he stopped speaking to her.
Now the spring term was over and she wanted to take summer classes just three days a week. She knew what her husband would say...'Do you ever think of any one except your self?'' Maybe not. Did he?
He did not know that her plans included law school seven hundred miles away.
Then she saw the flashing lights of the cruiser in the rear view mirror. Cursing she pulled onto the shoulder and reached into her purse for her license.
The cop was good looking. He looked at her license. He looked at her.
``You know how fast you were going?''
``No. I was thinking about other stuff.''
``Must have been fast moving.''
``What?''
``The other stuff. Must have been fast moving.''
Joke. That was a joke. She smiled.
``Slow down, OK? Is this your father's car?''
``I have three kids. This is my car!''
He looked at her again and handed back the license.
``All the more reason to slow down.''
She noticed he had two fingers missing on his left hand. How had that happened? Could he still be a cop with only eight fingers? He seemed real enough but she made a mental note of his badge number.
The cop was still leaning in the window. He seemed in no hurry. He stood up straight and looked down the quiet, sunny road. He did not move away from the car.
``So what were you thinking?''
What business is it of yours? she thought, but she said ``Oh - stuff. Whether I should go to summer school. I went four days a week this quarter...''
``Yeah,'' he said, ``I see you.''
``You remember me?''
``You and your car. I got to wondering about you...'' he looked down the sun dappled road again, ``sometimes I get to wondering...''
``About?''
``About? About the people going by. About it all. Children killed in wrecks...why that would happen...you wonder.''
``I got three...and one on the way...''
``Yeah. I saw your ring. You slow down for those kids' sake - OK?''
``OK.''
``I'll see you,'' he said. His eyes were strangely blue.
``I know you will,'' she answered.
As she pulled away she saw him in the rear view mirror standing by the cruiser, the lights still flashing.
``I know you will.'' she said.