Hello World!
Here we go!
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Keep breathing, focus, focus, focus.
Thump…….thump…..splash
“You got this”
Drip…...drip
“You can do this”
Pitapat…..pitapat
“Push!”
I see a car across the street, I can’t make out what type of carr it is, I could care less I’m so close to a PR. I hear the car turn around and suddenly red and Blue flash behind me.
“For the love of….”
I stop running. The car stop and an officer steps out of the car. I shield my face because the headlights on his car are blinding.
“Can I help you, officer?” I ask as I lower the hood of my black jacket.
The officer stops walking, pauses and proceeds to say “Can you lower your hood?” The officer requests.
I turn towards him slowly and do as he says.
“Ma’am, do you know why I stopped you?” He asks
“.....No, I don’t” I say with confusion.
But I do know. It looks bad, I am a black person, running, in the dark, at God knows what time, with a black jacket on. This...this doesn’t look good.
“You’re running at 3 in the morning, in the dark, in the rain” He states.
He continues “Do you know we’ve had a string of robberies in this neighborhood?”
“And there it is” I think to myself
I don’t respond.
“Are you from around here?” He asks.
“No, I live over in East Windom” I state, crossing my arms. I know better, my dad taught me better but I don’t care
The officer raises his eyebrows as if he was surprised. He responds “What brings you all the way over here in Jefferson Heights?”
“I like to run” I say matter of factly.
“I can see” He says.
“Am I in trouble?” I ask. He interrupted my run, I was about to PR. I mentally roll my eyes.
“No, should you be?” He questions.
I shake my head.
“Use your words stupid!” tell myself.
“No officer” I respond.
“It’s late he says, let me give you a ride home” He offers.
“No thank you, sir” I say.
“Really it would be no problem at all plus, you’re at least three and a half miles from home” He says. I know he’s not really asking me.
“Okay” I shrug,
I follow him towards the car, he politely opens back passenger door for me.
“Thank you” I mumble.
“It is no problem at all” He replies.
The car ride is awkwardly quiet if that’s even possible. I can see the officer looking at me through his rearview mirror. He clears his throat.
“Do you like to run?” He asks, breaking the ice.
Obviously….
“Yes, officer” I respond.
“Are you a runner for your school?” He inquires.
“Yes, for Windom High. I’m a long-distance runner” I say.
“You know you have one of the best track teams in the state” He says awkwardly gripping the wheel.
I nod my head.
“Why are you so far away from home?” He asks.
“Is he allowed to ask me all these freaking questions???” I think
“I want to run a marathon by the end of the year” I state proudly.
I can see him raise his eyebrows in surprise. “That’s..that’s awesome kid” He says
“Kid? I’m sixteen! You know what? Whatever” I think to myself
“Thank you” I mumble, annoyed.
“So...where am I taking you? What’s your address?” The officer asks.
Crap I never told him where I lived. Do I go home? Or do I go to Livie’s house? Ugh.
“1528 in the East Windom Estates” I say quickly
I rapidly text Livie and say “I’m coming to your house in a cop care, I’ll explain later”.
“Damnnnnnnnn. Side door iis unlocked for ya” she texts back within seconds.
This is why Livie is my best friend. I can always count on her.
“Okay” The officer says looking inquisitively at what I was doing.
A couple of minutes pass and next thing I know I’m at Livie’s house. The officer parks, gets out of the car, and opens my door. I hop out happy to get away from an awkward situation.
“Thank you so much” I say as I walk away.
“Young Lady” the officer calls.
What? I say in my head.
“Yes?” I ask.
“Be safe, running at night can be dangerous” He says sounding exactly like my dad.
“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind” I say.
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