Chapter 12 Excerpt

Well, sorry I had to skip chapter 11, but I can’t give the whole book away on the blog now, can I? I hope that you will enjoy this opening piece from Chapter 12. Something very exciting happens in the next piece (A part I’ve been waiting to start writing about) but it more than likely will not get published on the blog. If you would absolutely have to read it, it is possible to persuade me with cash, checks and money orders!

Here goes….. Enjoy!

This was his third week back on the job and Darin was happy to be around people again. He loved his family dearly, but it was just not the same as his police work. But, a desk job. No this did not quite cut it either, but Darin knew he had to work his way back up to where he wanted to be. It felt almost as though he were being punished. Surely it was not his fault that he got setup and now his arm was injured. Why should he have to endure a punishment for it? As Darin thought about it, he knew that this was all in God’s control. The only problem was trying to get a grasp on WHY God was doing it this way.

Darin kept thinking that a desk job was the last type of job that he thought he would never have. He had even planned to to turn down promotions if they offered them to him, because that meant sooner or later he would be tied to a desk and not out on the streets with his men! Yeah, somebody had to run the precinct, but if he could help it, that wasn’t ever going to be him. He would much rather work for the guy who was running it!

At this point and time, like it or not ( and he most definitely did NOT like it), Darin was tied to this desk job. Sandy said it was just like doing detective work. Not Really! Darin did not consider reviewing the detective’s reports and checking for the content and thoroughness in other people’s investigations his idea of doing detective work. He essentially went through everything with a fine tooth comb and make sure that everything was done to the letter of the law and according to proper procedure. If not, then his job was to notify the detective or officer so that they could correct the situation.

The job, very obviously, needed to be done because Darin was contacting people on a daily basis with a need for this correction or that correction. He felt more like a nag than he felt like he was any kind of assistance to his colleagues. But, just as Sandy said, Darin did get to wear his gun. On Darin it was really just an ornament. His shooting hand was, for the time being, quite useless. What got Darin’s heart beating and blood flowing was the gold badge he had to wear displayed all day. This is the thing that identified him with his life long dream. He always wanted to be a police officer and now he was one again. Limited though it may be… he was one!

The big problem was, of course, that Darin was chained to a desk. Sitting still was not in vocabulary. Darin was not one of those obsessive compulsive type — close, but not quite— but he had a problem just sitting and working if that’s the way that it had to be all the time.

Darin found himself easily startled. Not because he was one who could be easily spooked. In fact he was just the opposite of that. It was because he often found himself daydreaming about the days when he was on the streets. He would think about the days when he was a rookie cop and moved his way up through the ranks. He remembered when he used to walk a beat and how he had grown so close to the folks int he neighborhood. He thought about the day he was promoted to detective and how he was allowed to work the same area as he had patrolled as an officer. He loved his people and they loved. But how were they doing now? Who was taking care of them. Often as he thought on these things he would hear his name being called, only to look up and realize that whoever was talking to him had been calling him for some time and he had not responded. Because of all this the days were long. Darin did not like long days that seemed long! He liked to feel like he was so busy and so into what he was doing that he couldn’t believe how late it had gotten already.

Darin’s colleagues could not help but notice. Every now and then they would be talking in hushed tones and whispers and would stop whenever Darin came around. He would walk into the break room to get some coffee and it seemed that everything would stop and then they would try to turn the conversation to him and talk about old times. One thing Darin hated was when people talked behind his back. But, maybe, he thought, he was just having trouble fitting in and these folks really weren’t doing any thing bad. He was not sure what to think. He just wanted to be happier and he wanted it that happiness right now.

Darin had made up his mind, he would go to Sandy and talk to her. She would have to give him something else. Its not like he hadn’t tried. He tried it her way and now it was time to try it his way…..then Darin thought about his arm—-which had been hurting a lot more lately. He wished he knew why. But with that arm in the condition it was in, he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Perhaps he better get used to the desk.

Darin looked up and it was time to go home. He grabbed his stuff and said his good nights and walked began to walk out. As Darin passed the Captain Brandon York’s door, the Captain yelled out, “Hey! Frost!”

“Yes, sir?, ” said Darin.

“We have some type of in-service going on tomorrow. Gonna be working with a skeleton crew. Don’t bother to come in until about 10:30. Sleep in, spend some time with the wife while she’s awake and not tired.”

That actually sounded very inviting to Darin at the moment. So, before Captain York could change his mind, Darin responded with a hearty, “Yes Sir! See you at 10:30.”

*****************

At 10:30 the next morning, Darin shows up. As the captain had promised there is a skeleton crew at work. Just the essential officers and staff are present. Everything seems to run smoothly for a while. Darin is engrossed in his work and getting more done that he has ever been able to before because there is no one in the office to really bother him. Everyone else seems to be keeping to themselves today and Darin doesn’t appear to notice any more hushed conversations, he’s glad of that.

Suddenly there is an emergency dispatch. There is a hostage situation. Hundreds have been taken hostage in an office building and are being held for ransom. Every available man is being summoned to the scene. The rest of the officers don’t even give it a second thought. They up and out of there. Darin wants in on the action. He starts to get up and turns to head to the Captains office. Brandon York is already standing in door and shaking his head no as Darin turned to face him. Without out a word, York just pointed Darin back to his seat and went back into his office. Brandon York knew, that if nothing else, Darin would obey a command and he knew that he did not have to worry about him sneaking out.

Now, more frustrated than ever, Darin began rifling through the work on his desk. He could not afford to not be thorough so he was not too careless. People were still depending on him to do his job right. He might be angry about not being able to get into the “action,” but he wasnt’ going to let anybody down because of it.

A while later a phone call came in and Darin was the only one there, beside the Captain, to answer it,

“103rd Precinct. Detective Frost speaking.” Darin wanted to say, ‘Desktop Detective’ but he knew that would probably not mean a thing to the caller and only server to confuse them anyway.

“Detective Frost! So good hear from you. Listen this is Sammy Cardosi from the Corner Cleaners.”

“Sammy! How in the world are you?”

“Fine, fine. Look you need to send somebody over her quick. There’s something going down at the youth center and I’m scared that some of the boys are not up to any good. Its not the same any more like it was when you were out here. They respected you! The behaved for you! But they’re starting to turn back to their old ways because you’re not around any more. You gotta send somebody down and it better be soon.”

“OK, Sammy, thanks for calling we’ll get some boys right over there. Don’t you worry. We’ll get that thing settled.”

With that Darin hung up. He scribbled the the information on a pad and went to hand it to the dispatcher, but then realized he was gone as was everybody else. Darin looked around and thought for a second then made his way to the Captains door.

Brandon York looked up from the reports he was studying, “Hey Darin. Listen, you’ve been doing an excellent job since you’ve been back. This unit has been getting burned for procedural stuff that people didn’t know they needed to do and nobody knew enough to catch it. You’ve saved many an officer’s hide since you’ve been back here this short time. I really appreciate it. What’s up? You need something?”

“Captain we just got a call form the owner of the Corner Cleaners on my old beat. He’s pretty worried that something is going down at the Community Center between the teens. He thinks the gang banger might be up to there old tricks again. Nobody else is here, I was wondering is you want me to go down and check it out!”

Darin was unsure as to how the Captain was going to take this and was pretty sure he was just going to be sent back to his seat. He quite surprised at the Captains reaction. Brandon York’s face was one of shock.

“What? We can’t let those gang bangers mess up everything you’ve worked to build up! Get your jacket and your gun. You’re with me, Frost.”

“What? Uh, I mean, Oh yeah, right.” Darin was both confused and elated at the same time and he could feel the adrenaline rush through his veins. Now this was what it was supposed to be like.

When they got down to the Captain’s unmarked car, he wasted no time in putting his dome light on and starting the sirens blaring. As he backed his car out of the garage he realized that he was going to need some backup. He picked up the microphone to the police radio and began calling…..

“This is Captain Brandon York. Sorry Folks I hate to break up your in-service, but I’m rolling on my way to the Tidal District. We have a report of some possible gang activity at the Community Center. I’m gonna need some back up. I need Units 12, 27, 43, and 59 rolling now. Anybody else who is available can head that way as well.”

After about 10 seconds of the most dreadful silence the Captain thought he would ever hear passed, the responses stared coming in.

“Roger that, Captain. Unit 43 Rolling!”

“Unit 12 is in Route!”

“This is Unit 59, we’re on our way.”

“Unit 27 joining the party. Don’t have all the fun without us!”

“This is unit 32, we’ve gotcha covered Cap!”

“Unit 74 is supersonic. Eat my dust boys. See you there Captain.”

“Captain this is the K-9 dispatcher, I got 6 units rolling your way.”

“Captain, this is main dispatch, we showing you heading down 5th toward Lexington. Your about to pick up 3 escorts sir! Two Bikes and and Jimmy”

“Roger that,” Captain York responded. And then as is if from nowhere, there they were. Not only did the Captain have his escorts, but it looked like the whole police force was rolling in route the community center.

Darin was pumped.

He was alive.

This was police work.

This was how it was supposed to be.

As they rolled up to the community center, Darin and the Captain were bringing up the rear entering the building. Two Officers were waiting outside the door for the Captain so that they could fill him in. He liked to have all the information he could before entering a situation and his men knew it. In his typical commando style, Brandon York didn’t waste any time with formalities he just barked out his command: “REPORT!”

“They’re too many of us for them Captain. Looks like we have it under control. Just waiting on you.”

“Well then lets do it!” said Captain York.

With that the officers swung the doors open and the entire room exploded with shouts and cheers…..

“SURPRISE!”

Darin stood there in amazement. Boy had they ever pulled the wool over his eyes. As he stood there and took stock of what was going on around him, he saw his family, his colleagues, all of those people who had been talking behind his back (an now he knew why), all the people from the neighborhood, including Sammy who had made the call —-Everybody! all present at a party in his honor! And then they all began to sing!

“For He’s a jolly good fellow,
For he’s a jolly good fellow,
For he’s a jollyy good fe- elllllll lowwwwwwwww!
Which Nobody can deny!

Which nobody can deny. Which nobody can deny!
For he’s a jollyy good fe- elllllll lowwwwwwwww!
Which Nobody can deny!”

Darin was overcome with emotion. Forget the macho thing, he thought, Praise the Lord for friends. The tears were not only down his face, but you could see the moisture on the faces of many of the people in the room. People were calling for a speech or some type of response, but realizing that Darin was so overcome with emotion, everyone just gave him a standing ovation.

All of Darin’s family, friends and acquaintances began to come in and surround him. And you could hear Captain York in the distance saying, “We didn’t come here to just stand around folks. There’s work to be done, so let the celebration begin!”

Scared Witless!

YWriter 4 just gave this writer the scare of his life! Everything that I had written up to this point was suddenly GONE! Now, I must admit that I do have about 52,000 words printed out and in a notebook, but the prospect of having to type all that back in, or scanning it back in and then editing out the scanning mistakes was just unthinkable! Luckily in process of all my backing things up and my automatic backups I was able to retrieve all except the last 200-300 words that I typed in. As I already told someone else, those 300 words will probably come out better the second time around anyway. Well, as soon as I get rid of the shakes and have my wits about me again (for as the title of this post indicates, I was scared witless) I’ll start working on the next piece, which by the way is slated to be posted on the blog when its done! And….if I may say so myself…..Its going to be good.

I’m about to turn a corner with the book. I had to digress and write about all of the background stuff that people need to know. That will last for another couple of chapters and then we’ll back into the meat of the main story line again as our main character turns his life back around in ways unexpected (and ways that I will not reveal here!).

Anybody interesrted in buying the movie rights can contact my agent.

Chapter 10 Excerpt

Well, I have been trying to figure out how to work this angle, and while it is still a little on the  rough side (I haven’t done ANY editing to the book yet) here is a small piece from chapter 10 with another unexpected twist.

The only  thing that Toni hated more than counselors were counselors that she did not think she had to see.  And that was the case today.  Toni would be accompanying her husband to his counseling session today.  Toni was trying to figure out exactly what it was that was nagging at her.  She could see how these sessions had helped to improve Darin and how much better it had made their relationship after his accident, yet she still had this reluctance to go.

As Toni sat in front her mirror dressed in a smart and stylish brown skirt suit and fixing her hair she tried to find some resolution to this problem that she was having.  But there did not seem to be any.  If anything at all, Toni at least owed it to Darin to pay one visit to the counselor with him.  The least she could do was to say thank you to the person whom she obviously owed a great deal.

Toni smiled as she caught a glimpse of her ever so handsome husband as he walked into the room in his dress pants and tee shirt, still trying to get himself together, as he did every morning.  Toni had no idea what it was that took him so long, but she found some humor in watching him as he made his preparations every day.   Darin was such a creature of habit and everything had to be done just so…..the same way each day.  If not then Darin’s whole world collided and everything crashed in around him.  He had to brush hit teeth and shave before he could get into the shower.  His hair must be washed first and in just the right order with his different shampoos.  He even had a certain order in which he dried off EVERY DAY after he showered.  To Toni this was just so funny to observe.  Once Darin had toweled dry, he got dressed in the same manner every day.  Never an item of clothing out of order.  If there was something that he had to wait for because the laundry had not been done, that would stop the entire process!  He would stop getting dressed at that point and wait.   Darin was very particular, there were no substitutions.  Toni had taught her girls to cater to their father’s needs as well, so  there was always someone home who he could go to in order handle any problems.

Today was not  a problem day.  Darin had everything that he needed, it was just a matter of getting it all together.  Toni finished with her hair and got up from her dressing table, gave her hubby a peck on the cheek as she walked by and was surprised by the unexpected grab that pulled her back to him.
“I really do appreciate you making that effort and going with me today.  I know how you feel about this,” said Darin.
“Well, I promised you this once,” said Toni, “but I don’t know if I can promise you any more.”

“Yeah, I know, she’s going to have to be really helpful to you in order for you to come back again.  Personally, I think she will be.”

“Well, we’ll just have to see about that.  I’m not as sure as you are.”

“Hey babe,” said Darin, “God is still in control, is he not?”

“Sure he is,” answered Toni.

“Well my prayer for the past few days has been that she will be helpful enough to you that you will want to come back willingly.”

“It’s a good thing God is in control, because I can tell you now, that will take some kind of miracle.”

“Last I heard,” said Darin, “God is still in the miracle business!”

The drive to the counselor’s office was a quiet one.  Not much was said by Darin or Toni.  Both were unsure what to expect.

Darin parked the car and they arrived at the counselor’s office ten minutes before the scheduled appointment.  As they sat in the the comfortable waiting room on a posh leather sofa, Toni took in her surroundings.  There was obviously an effort being made to make folks feel at home, but Toni was not sure how much of this she could take!  Toni expected to see the wall plastered with laminated degrees but she did not see any of that here in the outer office.  She was certain that the inner office would have them.

There was a buzz on the intercom.  Tracy, the receptionist, picked up the receiver and the spoke into it. As she hung up the phone she looked over to Darin and Toni and said, “Mr. and Mrs. Frost, you may go in now.  Dr. Reynolds is ready to see you now.”  Just step through the door and Dr. Reynolds will be right with you.”

Darin and Jamie walked into the next room.  There was even more plush furniture.  Sofa’s loves seats, arm chairs, everything you needed to make you feel comfortable.  The Dr. could have counseled you from any spot in the room!  It was clear that there was even more of an attempt to make you feel comfortable once you reached this room.  Darin sat in one of the plush armchairs and offered one to his wife, but Toni opted to stand for the time being.  She began walking around the room and started examining the degrees on the walls, which were there just as she had thought.  Suddenly from behind she heard a warm and seemingly familiar voice say, “Mrs. Frost, I’m Dr. Cassandra Reynolds and I am so glad that you could come today.”

As Toni turned around both women gasped at the same time.  Darin stared from the Dr. to his wife and from his wife to the Dr.   Both women stared in awe at each other but in obvious recognition.  Both women stood with one hand covering her mouth as if to stifle a cry.

Toni was the first one to regain her speech, “Sandy Underwood?”

Dr. Reynolds replied, “Well its Reynolds now, thanks to my wonderful husband.  And I supposed you’re not Kristy Brown any more either.”

“Kristy, now thats not a  name I’ve been called by for a long time.”

Darin knew that this must be a longtime childhood friend because it had been years since anyone other than close friends and family had referred to his wife by the name Kristy.  Kristy being short for her middle name, Kristina.  Toni had long since abandoned that name, trying to escape her youth and adopted the shorter form of her first name, Ationette, in her adult years.

“Well,” said Toni, “You have obviously already met MY wonderful husband, and I use Toni now.   Haven’t been called Kristy in ages.”

The two friends ran to each others arm and hugged each other.

Darin cleared his throat, not wanting to interrupt this little get together, but he had a counseling session scheduled with the Dr.

Dr. Reynolds and Toni ended their embrace, both with tear streaked faces.  There was so much to catch up on.  The Dr. looked at Darin and said, “I’m sorry Mr. Frost, but today’s session is going to have to be canceled.  Something suddenly came up.”

Dr. Reynold’s called her receptionist and had her clear her calendar for the rest of the day.  She and a friend had some catching up to do.

Darin looked over at his wife and said, “Well, dear, I believe God is STILL in the miracle business!”

To which Toni replied, “I may be coming back once or twice… we’ll see!”  But even as she said it, Toni knew that she would be back as many times as the Dr. asked her.”

First Excerpt for 2008….also from Chapter 9

Well, I guess its time to get back into the groove and start wrtiting again. Especially since I’ve gotten more than a few reminders from the reading public. Please, if you know others who would be interested in my writing, share the URL to this blog with them so that they can enjoy and critique as well. I’m open to suggestions/request from all of my fellow bloggers. That having been said….here is an unprecedented second excerpt from chapter 9……..

Darin was still feeling somewhat down and out because of his current situation, but for the first time in a long time he actually felt a little lift. He felt like things COULD change. He prayed that God cold help him open up.

The Frosts were not strangers to church. It seemed like they practically lived there when they weren’t about the daily, everyday, ordinary tasks. Darin was on the board of trustees and helped in many of the ministries. Toni was a Sunday School teacher for the precious young ones. DJ and Lisa both served in the bus ministry. Stephanie was still too busy being a Jr. Teen to realize that she would really enjoy serving in a ministry.

The Frosts were faithful to tithe every week and give God his 10 percent and they marvelled at how far God could stretch the other 90% because they were faithful to give him his portion first. And the Frosts were also avid supporters of the Church’s Missions program through Faith Promise offerings. It was a good feeling to know that God was using the money that he provided them with to help people both in the United States and abroad come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Before Darin’s accident, he was an on fire, gung-ho type of Christian. He would witness at the drop of a hat and share the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ with anybody. Now, after the accident, he was somewhat apprehensive about sharing that information. He felt somehow the loss of the use in his arm hindered his spiritual ability, but that was not so. He could, in fact, be a more powerful witness if he would let God use the situation for His honor and His glory.

With all of the things that had gone on, God was really trying to get Darin’s attention, but, for some reason which he could not explain, Darin was shutting God out. He knew it was wrong and he knew that he needed God, but his self imposed pity party was getting in the way.

On this particular Wednesday, Darin was trying to find every reason under the sun to avoid having to go to the evening service. Darin couldn’t pinpoint it, but there was something that was tugging at him to stay home that evening. Yet, at the same time there was something tugging the other way as well. Something inside said that he needed to be in Church. Darin walked into the sun-room. Toni was there, reading her Bible as she usually did around this time of day. It was quiet and she could get her time with God undisturbed.

“I don’t think I’m going to to church tonight hon. You all go ahead without me,” said Darin.

“Where did that come from? You’re in church every time the doors are open. YOU said it was a family rule.”

It was hard for Darin to try to escape that one. That was HIS rule! Toni could see the conflict in him through his body language. She knew that if she didn’t hit hard and do it right now, she would lose this battle. Toni had no intentions on losing!

“Listen Darin, you are the role model for this family. Whatever you allow yourself to get away with, you can expect the same from everybody else at some point. You also have a responsibility as a member of the board of trustees to be there. Looks to me like you’re running from something, love. I don’t know what it is, but I know what the Darin Frost I know would say. He would say, ‘You gotta grab that problem by the horns and face it head on. And if you determine its too big for you to handle. Jump out of the way and let God grab the horns from you.’ Sound familiar?”

“Awwww right, Awwww right. I’ll go,” said Darin

“Now,” said Toni, “that’s more like it. What is it you always say? ‘Don’t give Satan ground in your life and don’t let him steal your glory. Besides how are you going to grow in the faith if you don’t stay in the word?’ ” That question was rhetorical and Darin did not answer.

That night when they walked into the church, it seemed to be different. The people were warm and cheerful as usual. Everyone was very glad to see Darin and made a point of telling him so. It seemed like he stage had been set and now God was going to direct the actors. The special music was excellent and particularly heart warming. Just right to prepare your heart for the sermon.

As the Pastor got up and started preaching, right from the introduction, Darin felt that the Preacher was talking right to him. It seemed as if everyone else were in some sort of suspended animation and he was the only cognizant person–other than the preacher–in the room.

The sermon had five main points…..
*Have Faith in the Lord
*Let the Lord have control, don’t give Satan the victory
*Talk to the Lord, be faithful with prayer
*All things work together for God’s honor and glory
*Expect a miracle—if you’re not expecting one, chances are good that it wont come!

That last point is the one that really stuck in Darin’s mind. Its not just that you have to expect the miracle, but if you don’t expect it, it may not come. Darin never consciously considered this before, but, if you think about it, it does stand to reason, that God would hesitate to work a miracle if you didn’t think he could do it. As Darin thought about it more and more he realized that he had ALWAYS thought that way inherently, since he was saved. It was just second nature. It never occurred to him to think that God would not do what he was asking for, so when he asked he was always believing! BUT, the accident, he thought, changed everything. Satan got a little ground, dug in and started conquering all. Well, thought Darin, that is going to change right now.

As Darin came out of his thought process the invitation was being presented. He wanted to go forward but something was holding his feet firm to the ground. Darin prayed there in his seat for God go to send his angels like he did for Lot and just lift him down to the altar. As is customary, God knows better how to answer our prayers than we do. Darin didn’t realize it, but his torment was so evident that many of his friends and family were watching him. After Darin was done praying, it seemed that the whole congregation converged on him. First his family and then his friends, everyone trying to get an arm around him. They all began to usher him out of the pew and down to the altar. The preacher was moved and encouraged and continued the invitation with more vigor and life than he had in a long, long time. There was a great season of prayer this night. Everyone had a concern for this one man who had touched each and every one of their lives in ways that he may never know.

Many people left the altar teary and bleary, but happy! Darin was committed to let God have HIS place back in his life and get back on track. Everyone all around was happy. Jamie was there too, next to Toni and they hugged and rejoiced together. When the preacher saw Darin after the service, he said to him…..
“Darin, I don’t know what happened there, but I do believe you started a spiritual fire today.”

“It wasn’t me, Preacher,” said Darin, “It was God. I wanted to go forward and I couldn’t go. I prayed that God would send his angels, like he did for Lot. He did.”

“Amen, and Amen!” said the preacher.

When Darin left that day, he felt like a new man. A changed man. A man ready to get his life back on track. Oh the time he had wasted up until. He knew that he could not get that time back but he sure was going to do what he could to make up for it.

As they were driving on the way home, Darin told Toni he wanted to drive. Toni was in shock!

“Darin are you serious, do you really want to drive? Are you feeling up to it?”

“I did ask, didn’t I?” said Darin.

Well Toni couldn’t argue with that one. The family got into the car and it took Darin a few minutes to get adjusted in the driver’s seat that he had not been in in such a long time. He got his bearings and got his nerve up and pulled off. On the way home, the conversation turned to the service and everything that happened. Everyone was so excited and laughing and crying at the same time. Darin, being a little out of practice, drove right though a stop sign and didn’t know it. But God was watching over him and protected Darin and the family by prevent traffic in the opposing intersection just at the right time. But Darin did catch someone else’s attention. Darin slowed down and pulled over when he looked up and saw the lights in his rear view mirror.

“Don’t these cops have anything better to do?” he chided.

The police officer stepped up to the window and Darin rolled it down……

“What’s the problem officer?” asked Darin.

“You ran that stop sign back there. Sir. Lucky for you there was nobody coming the other way.”

Without really looking at who he was talking to, he asked for Darin’s driver’s license and registration. Darin was only too happy to oblige, but asked the officer to indulge him for a second because he was only working with one arm. While Darin was going through all of the necessary contortions to get his information….eventually being assisted by his wife….. the officer was saying,
“Listen Sir, I’ll tell you now. I’m only going to give you a warning, but we have to do it by the book. I was just talking on the radio with a buddy of mine. He was telling me about a service that I wish I was at this evening. Particularly because of a colleague of ours who we’ve been praying for. I’m feeling so good right now that I just feel like passing on the good fortune.”

Darin smiling knowingly as he handed over his credentials said, “So who is this colleague of yours?”

Silence.

There was no answer coming from the police office. Very slowly the officer bent down and for the first time got a look at who he was dealing with. “Good evening Detective, I think you already know the answer to that question now, don’t you?”

Darin smiled. “To be honest with you officer, this is the first time I’ve driven in many months and we got to talking about that very service. I was so overjoyed that I didn’t see the stop sign. I promise to pay more attention.”

“After what I heard about this evening, I think I understand. One thing I know for sure. I’m don’t going to be the one to give you a ticket if I can avoid it. And in this case, I think I can. So, please drive carefully and have a good evening.”

Darin got a quick look at the officers name tag and said, “Officer Bloom, you have my word that I will pay better attention–especially while I’m in your patrol area!,” said Darin and he put the car in gear and drove off.

The officer stared at the tail lights of the car as it pulled out of sight and silently prayed….”Watch over him, Lord and restore him back 100 fold.”