#180 -LOOSING IT...A ROAD RAGE STORY

Back in the "good old days" when I was struggling to support my 2 kids with little to no help for their dads, I was continually frustrated.  I had a good job, but the wages weren’t as much as I needed.  My folks helped out a lot but I was always playing the shell game with my bills.

My job was stressful, my children were demanding, my life seemed hectic and I didn’t know how on earth I was going to get through the day, let alone the month.   I had just bought a new, red, 1968 Mustang and the payments were eating me alive.

One night I was late getting my son to Cub Scouts.  I had to run by my kid’s favorite place (Pup and Taco) and pick up a quick meal for them. I only had enough money to buy their meal (one taco, one hot dog, and two drinks).

I pulled out of the driveway of the place onto a wide four-lane thoroughfare.  I was the only car on the road at that time.  As I continued on down the road I saw a car at an intersection on my left.  It was just sitting there at a stop sign.  As I approached I kept my eye on him.  Just seconds before I got to this intersection he pulled out in front of me.

The #$%@ road hog just pulled out!

I threw on the breaks narrowly missing a collision.  This made me mad, but what really set me off was the crying from the back seat.  Patty, her hotdog, and her drink had been sent crashing to the floor (before seat belts).  Gene was in the front seat beside me and he hit the dash along with his taco and drink.

After a quick check to make sure no one was hurt, I floored the gas and took off after the maniac.  As I was flying down the road I said to my son, “Gene, gather up all the taco and ice from the floor, and get your sister's stuff too.”  Continuing on my chase I added, “Shove it all into your cup and hand it to me.”  I was beginning to catch the guy.  I then said, “Honey, roll down the window.” 

Gene’s eyes grew big as dawned on him what I was about to do.  The light up ahead turned red and the sedan had stopped.  It was a warm night and the target’s window was open.  I pulled up along the driver’s side, slammed on the breaks, leaned over my son, and threw the contents of the cup out the window of my car and into the window of the jerks car.  I shouted something like, “Here, you can have what is left of my children’s dinner!” (And, I think I may have called him a name.....ok, I'm sure I did).  

You know,  there isn't clip art of a bunch of food 
flying out the passenger door window....go figure!

I then hit the gas and ran the red light. 

I looked up into the rear view window to see if I was being chased  (I mean this was in Southern California and, believe it or not. there were some people with serious road rage in this area).  

It was a straightaway and I could see him for blocks.  His car just sat there through several lights.  Then I turned off and I never knew how long he sat there.

We were late to Cub Scouts, hungry, but we made it there alive.  While gobbling more than our share of refreshments I over heard my son talking to his friend Bobbie.  It went something like this:

“… … … you should have seen her face.  I have NEVER seen my mom that mad.   But, the best part was seeing what happened to that guy.  I saw some of he stuff she threw go into his ear!  It must have gone all over the front seat too as Mom really heaved it.  This guy turned to us just as my mom LAID RUBBER.  I got a good look at him and he had stuff all over his face and a funny look like he didn’t have a clue what had just happened.  His mouth was hanging open and his eyes were bugged out.  He just sat there and watched us drive away.”

Again, no clip art of a shocked man with tacos all over his face.  Use your imagination!

I felt guilty, not for what I did to THAT MAN, but for setting such a poor example for my children.  The next evening I sat them both down, apologized to them and explained why I was wrong and what could have happened.

My son simply said, “Well, Mom, just remember the next time I do something stupid, that I’m just following in your footsteps.”

Ever so often my son would point to the shiny spatter spots above the passenger window of the car, laugh, and remind me of the day I lost it!
kt 3/30/11