I Have a Confession

or more things to post in lieu of bringing you up to date with Sophie.

Ahem.

I was pulled over to day by a Los Angeles City Cop on a motorcycle. I was yakking on the cell phone with my sister -- something I rarely do anymore and not because I don't want to get a ticket. I agree that cell-phone-talking folks are a menace, and in Los Angeles they seem particularly so.

But I was trying to explain the whole new story about Sophie to my sister, and the Bluetooth that is built into my Mazda just doesn't do the trick. I have to sort of shout and half the time the person on the receiving end can't even hear me. Enough excuses for my bad. Anyway, I looked up and saw him driving toward me and he looked right in my eyes and I simultaneously tossed the phone on the seat and unrolled my window and opened my mouth and he said, before me, "You threw it down when you saw me." And I smiled, sheepishly, and sighed and then I pulled over and waited for him to get off the cycle and come over to my window. And here's the shame:

I said, "I'm so sorry Officer but I was talking to my babysitter who is watching my daughter. She has a seizure disorder and I really had to talk to her."

I know you're CRINGING now, and so am I. But it gets worse.

He said, "You know, I have an autistic son." AHHHHHHH!!!!!

I said, "Wow. How old is he?"

He said, "Seven. Let me see your license and your registration and your insurance card."

So I fumbled through the dash and pulled them out and gave them to him. While he went to check my record, the cell phone rang, and it was my sister. I told her that I'd just been pulled and since the last time I'd spoken with her I had been in the middle of telling her about our new woes, she said, "Oh, my God" with just the right amount of irony and incredulity.

Then the cop came back.

"I'm going to let you off," he said. "But drive safely." And he walked away as I rolled up the window.

And guess where I was headed?

The Catholic gift store to buy some First Communion gifts for Oliver who is making the sacrament next week.

Oy vey or should I say Jesus Christ.

My penance was a fresh bout of tears that came in between some giggles, all by myself and loony in my car.

And I will tell you what's up with The Girl, just not now.