The Speeding Ticket

Short Story Day 62 of 365

Photo by ArtisticOperations at Pixabay

Tony and Mara were in a hurry.

They had just left their wedding reception and were on their way to their hotel getaway for two weeks.

Two weeks of sheer bliss and harmony.

When Tony happened to be going much faster than the posted speed limit, a bad thing happened: he heard a siren and saw blue and red flashing lights in his rear view mirrors.

Mara said, “Just tell him the truth, Honey. He’ll believe you. It’s written all over our car.”

True enough. If the six strings of cans dragging behind the car weren’t enough to shout ‘Newlyweds!’, then the ‘Just Married’ text soaped on their rear window should have been a dead giveaway.

Tony fumbled through his wallet for his license, took it out, and then placed his hands 10-2 on the steering wheel.

“Afternoon, young man, miss,” the officer said before stating his name. “Before I take a look at your driver’s license, I need you to pull into that parking lot over there.”

“Yes sir.”

Tony looked over at Mara and pursed his lips.

He drove over to the parking lot of a small Baptist church. The squad car pulled in behind him and turned off his flashing lights.

Again, Tony placed his hands on the steering wheel with his license, registration, and insurance in his left hand.

The officer approached again, “Bit nervous, are we? Well, just wanted to let you know that two of your strings of cans had come loose and were creating a hazard for other drivers. Before you head off to your, um, honeymoon or wherever you’re off to, might want to remove those cans. Creates problems for others, that’s it. That’s all I have. You’re not in any trouble at all. Congratulations and best wishes in your life, the two of you.”

Just as he was walking away, he turned and said, “Oh, and you might wanna ease up on the gas pedal in town. The hotel’s not going anywhere.”