Mom was in a hurry to get home. Potatoes had to be peeled and the roast removed from the oven. No one in sight so she stepped on the gas as she passed through the Northern Illinois town of 1100 people.
Whrr! Whrr! A siren pierced through the stillness of the autumn evening.
Oh no! she thought. I’m in trouble. Freddy’s caught me! Now what?
She pulled the blue Pontiac over to the curb. A black police car pulled up behind her with its red light flashing. A man, resembling Broderick Crawford, stepped out of the car, adjusting his gun and holster as he walked toward her. She rolled down her window.
“So, Mrs. Nevenhoven, we meet again?” said officer Freddie Cannon. A smirk cutting across his lips.
“Yes, Freddie, we do,” replied Mom in a deadpan tone.
“Well, you were doing forty-five miles per hour in a thirty mile per hour speed zone. I’ll have to ticket you,” he said.
Mom shrugged. “Okay! But I’m not paying it.”
“What?” he said. “It’ll only be thirty dollars!”
“I don’t care,” she replied with a set jaw. “I’m not paying it.”
He laughed. “Then, it’ll be thirty days in jail. How’d you like that?”
“Well, you’d better lock me up now! Because I’m not paying the fine.”
He stared into her eyes for a moment or so. Then, he shook his head. “No way am I going to put up with you for thirty days. Go!” He spun around and went back to the police car. Mom resumed her journey home.
This is a true story.
Now, Mom would probably not choose the word feisty as a one-word description of herself. She’d rather have a more feminine adjective, but guess what?
Her husband, her two children, her five grandchildren, her many great-grandchildren and, at least, one police officer would agree with the one-word description.
Mom is feisty. Period.
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. You’re the best!
(Rerun from 2009)
Larry Who 
Like mother, like son?
Great re-run and story about your mom! 🙂 I was talking to my mom yesterday, and she told me of a time she’d gotten pulled over for speeding. When the officer came up, she said, “Would you believe I’m going to a fire.” Now, she didn’t tell me if she got a ticket or not, after that. 🙂 God bless you and yours today!
Debbie,
Thanks. Happy Mothers’ Day weekend to you.
Naphtali,
Well. sort of. Although Mom will say that I’m just like her, all of the other family members will say I’m more like Dad. He was easy going and seldom got riled up about anything. But – but I sure am stubborn and determined like Mom…just not as feisty.
Larry, this is good stuff. And the next time I get pulled over I’m gonna try it your mom’s way!
Linda,
Thanks. If you use it, make sure you’re in a small town and know the police officer from past run-ins.
a very good rerun… glad I was here to catch it! My mom also had her very fiesty moments also with the speeding… Your story brought a big grin to my face… thank you
It may be a rerun for some, but it’s my first. I knew you couldn’t stop with just one word. Glad you didn’t. Cool story and as usual with you, written ever so well.
thefisherlady,
Thanks. Although Mom is now 88 years old, she is still feisty.
Mike,
Thanks for your encouraging words.
Reblogged this on roger tharpe.
Roger Tharpe,
Thanks. God bless you today.
Nice memories.
Catholic Glasses,
Thanks. Memories become more precious as I age.
Beautiful memoir, Larry! My Mom and yours would have gotten along swimmingly! …..ok I have to google that, what is the origin of “swimmingly” ?anywho, my mom was feisty too, they would have been partners in crime, I bet!
Stella,
Thanks. Mom is a feisty character, but at the age of 88, she’s a step slower than she was. Yet, her feistiness has not dimmed much.
Awesome 😉
writingforjoy,
Thanks.
Enjoyed the account 🙂
boldkevin,
Thanks. God bless you.
I LOVE this story, Larry–and I’m relatively new to you, so it’s the first time I’ve heard it. (Deb says I shouldn’t be so intimidated by you–) Though I don’t drive, I dare say I’m well on the road to feisty, myself! God bless you abundantly today, and always. sis Caddo
Caddo Veil,
My wife agrees with Deb and so do my cats. Thanks for stopping by.