Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Now THAT's Something to Blog about!

Remember last week, when I went to pick up KJ from tumbling? Remember my high speed car chase? No? Well, go read it here. (and leave a comment while you're there, to enter my CD giveaway)

Well, it's Wednesday again. Time for tumbling...again. I'll be honest, I went expecting a confrontation. I was nervous. I dropped off KJ, then went to the grocery store, finished early, and had to sit outside the building for about ten minutes.

I purposely parked on the street alongside of the building, instead of in the parking lot. I wanted to go out of my way to stay away from all other cars, so as to avoid any possible confusion that I may or may not hit someone.

Well, sure enough 6:29 rolls around, just as I'm preparing to exit my vehicle, here comes the dreaded '92 Honda Accord (no, I didn't just drop his make and model). He pulled around and parked right behind me. I decided I'd just ignore him, play stupid, like I didn't know it was him. I got TJ and Peter out of the car, and proceeded to walk toward the building.

The dude also got out of his car, and starting yelling "Ma'am, ma'am!!" I tried to ignore him at first, act like I didn't hear him, but there was no avoiding this.

So, I turned around, and innocently said, "Yes?"

He immediately, assuming I know who he is, says, "I haven't been able to get hold of the UHP and they won't give me your insurance info, so I need to get it from you."

Me: Inner panic, heart pounding, starting to shake. On the outside, calm as the morning sunrise, "Sir," I said dripping with sarcastic politeness, "I won't be giving you my insurance information, because I didn't hit you."
He proceeded to argue with me that, yes, I did, and did I want to see his headlight? I said in essence that there was virtually ZERO evidence on my vehicle that I had hit anything, and I stand by my position that I DID NOT HIT HIM. I also told him that after he pursued me like a psycho (Yes, I used the word psycho), he had terrified me AND my children (I made sure he knew he scared my kids), and there was no way I would've stopped after the way he reacted.
I told him I had told the police that I didn't hit him, and I would not give him my insurance info.
Then I said, "Excuse me, I'm going to get my daughter now." Then, I turned, and walked away.

For the first time in my life, I said the perfect thing at the perfect moment. Calmly, confidently. I didn't even stutter. (You may not know this about me, but sometimes I stutter, when I'm nervous or upset).

In retrospect, the only thing I wish I had said in addition, was how could he prove that the damage to his headlight was done by me, because he didn't get out of his car to inspect it at the time the "incident" happened. He just pulled right out behind me, and chased me onto the freeway. How could he know that the crack in his headlight wasn't there before, or possibly caused by a rock chip because he was following me so close?

I'm proud of myself for standing up to the dude. I've NEVER done that before.

It feels good.

21 comments:

Annette Lyon said...

Yay, you! Go, Sher! I doubt I would have been nearly that together.

Nick and Stacey said...

Good for you...I guess I need to take some lessons from you! I am not very good at standing up for myself either! What a crazy person...that is nuts!

Erin said...

Good for you! I myself would have been afraid that he might key my car when I was in getting my child. I am so proud of you!

Da Bergs said...

WAY. TO. GO. girlfriend!!!

Lara Neves said...

Awesome! You did great! I am sure I would have been a basket case, but I think maybe since you are definitely in the right here that that gave you the confidence not to be intimidated. What a crazy dude!

Wonder Woman said...

You sound like Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail. Except you don't regret it. AWESOME, Sherrie!

Queen Elizabeth said...

You go girl! Next time he confronts you (next week at tumbling?), ask him to show you on YOUR car where you hit him. :)

Unknown said...

I am TOTALLY proud of you! This story sounded fishy when I read it last week, and you did exactly the right thing.

Now, I'm going to be serious for a minute (yes, Sher, I can be serious if I really concentrate!)

From this point on, this man is DEAD to you. You don't talk to him, you don't make eye contact, and you write down every time he tries to discuss anything with you. He's already demonstrated a capacity for instability, and you need to give him and his POS a wide berth.

The big dumb jerk.

Cynthia said...

Good for you! That is a scary situation.

Kendell's Crusaders said...

You go girl! Reminds me of my school parking lot incident, except some guy really DID hit me (with witenesses), and drove off pretending he didn't. Luckily I got his license and I did have proof.

Lisa said...

Way to go girl! I'm such a chicken I probably wouldn't have gone to tumbling for like a month and then I would have taken a different car.

mCat said...

Look at you go girl! Get on with your bad self! I am uber proud of you! Mean guys suck.....

Jessica said...

You are awesome! That guy is a psycho. Seriously! I'm mean to chase you and your kids in bad weather...crazy! That is so great that you could stand up to him!

tammy said...

Yay, good for you! I always get nervous with confrontations too. And what a dork. Even if he had your insurance info, your company isn't going to pay him just because he said you hit him. Without a police report, and your word against his, they'd just laugh in his face. He probably had the broken headlight even before that night.

Spence said...

Way to Go Sherrie!

wendy said...

WAY TO GO Sher ---You sure told him!!! And to think you didn't even stutter....(did you pee your pants, just a litte) When I get scarred or nervous I break out into the dry heaves Really impressive.

Bonnie the Boss said...

I always bawl when I am mad or upset! Good job for not falling apart!

tiburon said...

Good for you! I would have fallen apart...

Jen said...

Yikes! He is ONE scary dude. Is he stalking you? That would scare me. You go girl! I'm proud of you for standing your ground!

Elisa said...

Hip Hip Hooray! So glad that you told him off!

Can I come this week to watch the continuation of the drama unfold? This is getting exciting!

Brooke said...

Way to go! How scary. I'm not good at that kind of thing, either.