JAILBIRD and the BREAKOUT!!

:ahem:  I was minding my own business today, on tap for some administrative tasks in town when the phone rang.  One of my children, who shall remain nameless, spoke in anxious tones.  "Mom?  I have to go to the courthouse and pay a fine . . . when I called to confirm the pricetag, the woman told me she'd have to book me in!  I've a warrant out for my arrest!!"



Ingesting this information, I waited for more.

"So . . . I'm just telling you."

Finally roused out of my news--induced stupor, I asked:  "Are you sure?  I mean, they surely can't keep you, as you're paying the fee?"


"It's what she said, Mom.  I'm scared."

Hmmm.

Next thing I know, I'm re-routing my day to bring the benefit of moral support to my little jailbird.

As my child got into my car, I could see the nervousness written all over the body language.  Verbosity brought forth a relief of the anxiety.

"This has happened to me once before over at another jurisdiction.  But, they never said they were going to book me in!  I was just charged an additional fee for not paying a traffic ticket on time."


"WHAT?! This has happened before?"

The head nodded affirmatively.

"Egads!  Didn't you learn your lesson the first time? Had to climb back in for more?"  I sighed.

Soon we were mosy-ing up to the courthouse.  Giggling nervously, my child climbed out of the vehicle, while I followed behind.  Evidently empowered, sturdy strides made their way inside, inquiring of the proper office, and in a snap, we were seated, waiting in line.

Finally, it was my child's turn.  Stepping up to the counter, and being asked of their name, the confident demeanor melted slightly as the woman behind the plate glass impatiently demanded:  "Speak up!  I can't hear you!"

So raise the voice my child did.

I waited.  Money was exchanged.  Paperwork was handled.  I held my breath.  When would they whisk her away, snapping a mugshot for perpetuity?

Turning and catching my eye, my child was thinking the same thing, I could see.

Gulp.

Without any fanfare, instructions on how to reinstate the errant license came forth, and it was over.  We were dismissed.

I felt like shouting to the rafters a "Halleluia!"  But I held my tongue.  Best to not hedge our bets, and get the heck outta Dodge.

We couldn't move fast enough . . . until a woman stopped us.  An Asian woman, who had been in line before us, was now waiting in the lobby, pacing.  She approached and asked me to assist her with the ATM machine, as she couldn't read English.  All of the nervousness that had once been exhibited in my child's face was now in this stranger's eyes.  I quickly assessed she must not have had enough cash to cover her fine.

I smiled reassuringly.  Of course I would help, and the woman would be safe from any harm or robbery.

With two greatly relieved people now in my presence, I couldn't help but notice that the jailbreak incident turned into an opportunity to help not one bird, but two.  :D

Six Days of Twelve.