Canadian Tabs
by Teresa
Gauthier
This is an
almost true story about a displaced Canadian, who
is now an American. She has to do things for
herself that she never had to do when her husband
was alive. She makes do, most of the time.
Sometimes it’s the little things that create
the most angst and make her laugh and cry at the
same time. Like the time that Pat, her neighbor
waved her down after her walk. He pointed to her
car saying, “I was just wondering if that is
how Canadians put on their car tabs?” She
turned, puzzled, “Canadians? What are you
talking .... “ and then she gasped, “Oh
now I see. I put the year portion on the month
part. Crap, how did I do that? I have been
driving that way for months now. What should I do?”
“Well, I
am sure you will be fine but you are lucky you
haven’t gotten pulled over. I think you need
to go to the Department of Licensing and get a
new tab. Pat shook his head and chuckled, “Canadians!”
Claire planned
to take care of the tabs the next day, but first,
she had an early appointment in Port Orchard.
When she was close to Main Street she approached
a newly installed roundabout; she was confused by
the signage. Missing her exit, she continued in
the circle; she saw flashing lights in her
rearview mirror. Heart beating, she took the
first exit she could and pulled over to the side
of the road. She waited and rolled down her
window. The officer approached her asking, “Are
you aware that you cut me off on the roundabout”.
Her mouth was dry but Claire managed to splutter,
“Officer, I am so very very sorry. To be
honest, I was totally confused on that exit, and
no, I didn’t see you. I am so sorry, it was
my fault.” The officer nodded saying, “Hmmm.
And Ma’am, your tabs...”
She cut him
off, “ Officer I don’t mean to
interrupt, but you won’t believe this. I
just realized last evening that I put my tab in
the wrong spot. What was I thinking? I have been
driving that way for months! My neighbor asked me
if this is the way Canadians put on tabs and I
didn’t know what he was talking about, but I
am from Canada and I thought he was joking, but
clearly I put them on the wrong way and wouldn’t
you know it, I do something stupid and get pulled
over and,” she paused.
The officer
was just looking at her, an incredulous look on
his face as he struggled to hide a half smile. He
shook his head, “Ma’am, look just drive
carefully and pay more attention to these
roundabouts. Get your tabs fixed, as soon as
possible.”
“Thank
you, officer. I will. I will. Have a good day.”
As he gave a small smile and turned away, she
noticed how trim and good-looking he was. “Phew”,
she thought, “that was lucky, and wow what a
looker”. She waited a few minutes as her
beating heart slowed and as she pondered. She
sent a silent prayer up in gratitude, thinking
about her husband and she winked, “Thank you
Lord for the warning, I will pay more attention.
John, I like that you sent a looker to wake me up!”
With a sigh and a rueful grin, she started the
car, proceeding slowly and cautiously into the
circle of life.
Canadian
Tabs by Teresa Gauthier
Copyright October 2024- All Rights Reserved
|
