I was pulling into the parking lot at work…packed. Of Course. I have this preference of not parking next to cars because, well, for my own protection. About a month ago some one plowed into the side of my car and didn’t even say anything. But tonight that wasn’t going to happen. So I pulled around to the pack row of parking and go to turn into a space when out of no where a big SUV comes barreling down to road.
I smash my breaks and avoid this accident. GO ME! Except I didn’t realign my steering to continue into my spot and I went to park, nonchalantly, thankful I didn’t just get t-boned. Well, nonchalantly I scrape the car parked next me. As soon as I hit them, I threw my car into reverse, realigned and pulled the rest of the way in. My heart sank into my stomach, my stomach into my toes. I park, I turn off my car, and I get out. Don’t even bother to put up my windows. And then I see the damage on the other car…or lack there of really. A thin scratch, about 8 inches in length, with a little pink in it.
As soon as I saw the damage I call my mom, and she doesn’t answer. I take about thirty seconds to pray about what to do next…and of course God says to do the right thing and leave a note. Dang it. I run inside, feed some printer paper and begin to write a very apologetic and extremely lengthy note.
“I am SO sorry. My name is Jacque Tate, and I scraped your car pulling into my parking spot today. The back left bumper has a shallow scratch with a little paint transfer. Please contact me so we can come to a repair agreement. My cell number is (704)@!#-%^$. And I work at stool pigeons. Again I AM SO SO SO SO sorry.”
About an hour later I go to look to see if they’d gotten to their car yet, and I notice the car next to me doesn’t have a note! I rewrite it, thinking it blew away, and race out there, only to find that it isn’t the carthat I hit. So they left…they eirhter didn’t care about the damage enough to see me right away, they didn’t see the note, or they’re calling their insurance agency, giving them my lisence plate number and lettign the popo handle it. I’m praying it’s the first two…
About 8:30 my phone rings with a 216 number. It’s her…Her name is Sharon. Or Sharyl. I forget. First off, she thanks me for being honest and leaving my info. Well…the other option was to move my car pretend like it didn’t even happen. Oh yeah, God will understand…I just don’t want my insurance to go up. How very brave and Christian-like of me. I’ll leave a note and not go to Hell. You’re Welcome. She told me her boyfriend looked at it and seemed to think it would only cost about $10 for wax to buff it out at auto zone. I agree. My car had a way worse scratch and my Dad got it out good as new for free =]
She also said that she would call me and let me know this morning if it was more and that if it was only $10 or something that she wouldn’t worry about it. I told her I was only 18, and I’d really appreciate if we didn’t have to go through our insurance. I told her to call me and I would meet her at the repair place and pay them out right for any repairs she needed from the accident. No need to call the insurance people. I am a woman of my word. She said she was sure it wouldn’t be expensive and that she would let me know as soon as she could. And thanks again for leaving my name and number, she really appreciated my honesty.
Of course I told her about my huge gash that no one felt the need to tell me about after if happened. I would want some one to leave their info, so that’s what I did. And it seemed to pay off. She was really nice about it, and didn’t get upset or demanding. In the beginning it didn’t even seem like she wanted me to pay for any repairs since it was going to be so little. But of course I insisted she call me any way.
Hmm. I guess honesty is the best policy. If I would’ve just left it, she would have no doubt called the cops. Just the way God works. He rewards people who act as He would want, and if I wouldn’t have left any info, I’m sure I would have hit some nasty mean suing people. I’m glad God has an instant reward system. I took a chance and did the right thing, and He had my back. Yay God!
Okay, I’m off to bed, got some serious sleeping to do before the sermon tomorrow <3
