You throw your tote bag into your car, and you start creating a mental grocery list of things you’ll pick up at the grocery store: onions, feta cheese, kale, corn tortillas -you’re in the mood for your famous kale tacos. Then there’s a huge boom. You’re not sure if it’s bullets or a bomb or something else, but it’s in the vicinity, and sky is lit up, and you feel yourself start to cower. Somehow, comprehension sinks in and you realize it’s fireworks. For some bizarrely stupid reason there are fireworks in November somewhere near you.
You sit in your car trying to get your bearings. You sit and sit and sit and sit. You’re floaty and scared and hungry and freaked. You have the car running, and you don’t want to run out of gas, but you see the gas gauge is close to empty. It’s been at least 30 minutes, so you decide to head to the grocery store since the fireworks are long since done, and your’e calmer now.
Or, so you thought you were calmer. You’re driving, and you’re nearly to the grocery store, and you see flashing red and blue lights behind you. You pull over into the parking lot of the neighborhood diner, and you’re confused. You don’t know what you did, or what happened to merit getting pulled over by the police. You’re scared, scared, scared …
“Ma’am, you don’t have to get out of the car. License and registration please.”
“What … what did I do wrong?”
“License and registration please, and then we’ll talk.”
“Okaaayy …”
“Ma’am, are you feeling okay tonight? You were driving on the shoulder for a good while there. I followed you for a bit to see if you would correct it. What have you been up to tonight?”
“I … I … I was at the coffee shop, and I was putting my things in the car when fireworks started nearby, and I needed to wait before I drove because I was … startled.”
“Ma’am, is something wrong?”
“I … have … PTSD, and the fireworks … really … startled me. I’m sorry.”
“Ma’am, is there anything I can do for you?”
“No, sir.”
“You know, ma’am, this diner is a nice place to eat if you need to relax for a bit. I’m not giving you a ticket or anything like that. Have a good night.”
(Photo credit: Camera Slayer)
A Year in the Life of PTSD 
First of all lots of heart felt hugs. Second, it really sucks that triggers are everywhere for those of us with PTSD and other traumatic disorders. Third, I am so very happy you were stopped by an understanding and caring soul in the form of law enforcement that night. Cu doe’s to the officer for the understanding and having a caring heart.
Thank you! Yes, I was very relieved that he was very nice to me.
The cop sounds like he was pretty awesome and acting from the right place. *hugs*
I am very thankful that we was so kind to me. Thanky!
I really felt for you when I read this, the anxiety and fear of the fireworks, then the police – and then you were so brave to let him know what was really happening.
I hope are feeling better, and managed to have that yummy sounding meal.
Thank you! The kale tacos were good to have once I recovered from the hoo-ha. I am glad the disclosure worked out well. Thanks again.
I’m sorry that happened to you but he sounds like a great cop. xo
he was unexpectedly nice!
It makes a difference eh?!