Two Events, Two Reactions

Two weeks ago while I rode on my scooter through town, I had the driver of a huge white Ford pickup ride so close behind me I could feel the heat coming out of the engine. Speed limit is 15 mph and that was what I was doing. If you need to get through Kona fast, think twice, because it doesn’t happen.

On this day a cruise ship was in harbor. Foot traffic was heavy, with pedestrians dropping off the sidewalks and crossing the street wherever and whenever they saw a gap in the line of cars snaking between the tourist shops.

Every time traffic halted the pickup driver brought his monster truck right up on me and revved his engine. The only thing I could see in my mirrors was silver grill and the Ford emblem. At an intersection cars were backed up far enough to block off the merge to the left turn lane. However, there was enough room to slip through on my scooter. I thought I would lose the jerk, but he veered out into the oncoming lane and got back on my tail.

I turned and he followed in close pursuit, laying on the horn as we came through the intersection. I gunned the engine to 25 mph, the speed limit and he stuck to me like a bad reputation. At the next intersection he got in the right turn lane. As he passed he felt compelled to share his limited vocabulary.

Now I was pissed. For one brief moment I decided to pursue this jerk. But for only a moment. What was I going to do? Throw my helmet at him? Then what?

I was on my way to the pool. When I arrived every lane was full. Unusual, but I needed the wait time. I was shaking furious. I tried to calm down. I prayed to calm down. I swam to calm down. I prayed some more. Even told God I forgave the idiot, but I knew I hadn’t. Of course, He knew that too. That afternoon I went on Craig'slist and ranted. (I've never done that.) I was a mess, thinking this guy in his rage, could have killed me.

Now when I ride in town I’m looking for white Ford pickups. I also have forgiven him and prayed that he got safely to where he was going and that he too calmed down.

Yesterday, car nearly sideswiped me when the driver pulled from the driving lane to the turn lane where I was. This time I was in a rental car. The driver decided to turn left at the last minute. He was very startled to hear my horn blast a warning that we were on a collision course unless I hit the brakes and he pulled out of the turn. Fortunately, on a very busy road, no one rear ended us.

The older driver was upset. He kept apologetically shaking his head and looking at me in his side mirror. We waited for the oncoming traffic to clear and then proceeded through the intersection. He pulled over. I passed by and tried to give him a quick, “Oh, well” glance.

I was never upset, but couldn't figure out why. Until now.