So Far, So Law-Abiding

Daily writing prompt

Have you ever unintentionally broken the law?

View all responses

I was with a boyfriend once when he drove my VW down the block on the sidewalk. I was probably intoxicated and laughing so maybe I was abetting his lawbreaking since I assume it is against the law to operate an automobile on the sidewalk even a wee one like a bug.

My devotion to rules is legendary. I keep my seatbelt on until the plane has come to a complete stop. I always shower before getting in the pool (well, I do at one pool but not the other because I think the water is probably pretty cold at the latter since it’s a public pool and well, you know how it is with revenue shortfalls and all, hot water is the first to go). I don’t right turn on red if pedestrians are present. And I quit jaywalking cold turkey twenty years ago. Somebody got a little too close to my flowing skirt.

I could go on.

I do not want to intentionally or unintentionally break the law. The idea of getting arrested is very scary to me for a dozen reasons, not the least of which is I can’t hear if I lose my cochlear implant processors. So, the times that we are in and the public activities that are needed have made me think plenty about the possibility of getting arrested. My goal is to be brave while tending to my ever-present inner coward.

As my husband says when he drops me and my friends off for a protest, “I’ll pick you up. Just tell me which way you’ll be running.” Knowing that he is hovering a block or two away in a big black F-150 that could probably pass for an ICE vehicle is an odd comfort in this cracked-up time. So far, though, I’ve been as law-abiding as they make ’em. That might change. I guess we’ll see.

Anyway, the answer to your question is, “No, not really. Not so far.”

______________________

Photo by Eugenia Pan’kiv on Unsplash