It was good to be back at work and doing what I love best: talking to clients and making them look good. After the third week off post surgery I was beginning to go a bit insane. Luckily, the weather had been a bit warmer in the northeast showing New Jerseyans that sometimes you can bypass the whole snowy season and shoot straight for 80 degree temps right in the beginning of March. I took advantage of the time off and the pleasant weather by taking my book reading outdoors. My walking was quite limited temporally so going somewhere to experience the freshness of the air and the brightness of the sun was kept local. And what better place to that than the downtown, Perth Amboy waterfront.
After a pleasant hour reading by the water I decided it was time to head on home. I had traveled this area many, many times but realized I had taken a turn down a street I was not familiar with. Regardless, I then saw the main street I needed to make a left hand turn on and did just that. Suddenly a handsome spanish cop on foot began to wave to me. I did what anyone else would do and waved back. Not amused by my friendly returned hand gesture he motioned for me to pull over. I suddenly realized I hadn't washed my hair that day and was in need of a quick lip gloss refresher on my lips. I had just enough time to check myself in the mirror for teeth food particles when he came on over to my window. I suddenly felt like I was an episode of " Chips " and he was my officer Poncherello. " What seems to be the problem officer " I replied in my most seductive voice. Looking back, I should never use that voice again. Ever. "License, registration and insurance card please" he said to me. I was lost. I thought he was picking me up. I was clueless and realized I would not be going to the roller disco later that evening. Baffled at to what I did wrong I glanced into my rear-view mirror to see officer Sexy Goya-oh-Boya running my information. I then saw him coming back to approach my car. " Miss, you made an illegal left hand turn onto this street. Their was a sign back there saying it was forbidden. I had to write you up a ticket but I gave you one that will hold no points to be nice. If you would like to protest it you may. " These were my options I thought to myself ?" I also wanted to say " If you were nice you would have not even given me a ticket at all " but opted for a simple " thanks " instead. He walked away and ruined my chances of ever having a seductive cop fantasy again.
I pulled away and went around the block to see the " sign " the cop was talking about. As I was approaching the stoplight and carefully making sure I didn't make the same left-turn mistake, I saw the sign. Actually, the SIGNS. Plural. Their were four of them. " Huh, I said to myself. Wouldn't ya know."
Driving home I realized a few things; I waved to cop that was not flirting, I now have a ticket to pay and how could I have missed all those signs?
Needless to say I am glad to be back in the workforce.
