1 AM

I would be placed into an asylum if anyone knew what sounds were actually bouncing off the windows of that little 99' Sentra. I was trying my best to find every note possible and to the top of my lungs at that. I even made eccentric hand gestures trying to incite my mind and body to refrain from collapse. The loud music helped.

I was going down the road I've gone down dozens of times, and at this time of night, passing cars are few. I'm trying to remember the road now. I remember thinking I'll slow down because 1. I'm going down hill and 2. This is the place I saw a cop sit that one time. I keep moving and the ground levels when all of a sudden a red VW comes straight at me into my lane. It happened so fast; in a split second I realized they would hit me and I laid on my horn and swerved to the right. I remember looking at them after realizing they tried swerving back and didn't keep coming. It was a couple, and I did not make eye contact. Neither were looking at me, and in a split second I just knew they were drunk. I couldn't tell you the color of his hair, but I could tell you he looked confused and out of it. I took off a little shaken and realized the car behind me stopped. I instantly wondered who I should call, worried that they would get in an accident further down the road. The car stopped and I wanted to know what they were going to do. I believe they just waited to make sure they weren't going to get hit and they took off.

I finished down the hill, going rather slow. I wanted to make sure I was not shaken up, but I wanted to tell someone. I saw a cop car on the other side of the road and I stopped and called out to them (realizing later that this could be scary for them - no thanks to being a cop). I let Mrs. Cop know what just happened, she said they would inform the police in that area. All I knew was that it was a small, red car, and if my memory didn't fail me at the time, it was a VW Beetle. After Eric kindly reminded me that talking on the phone in DC was a $100 fine, I put it away after having it to my ear talking to the cop, and continued on... with caution. (I was prepared to call the police number, but without that number, all I could do was call Eric).

The radio was silent at this time and I forgot about my bag that flung to the floorboard. I was just trying to process. As my heart started to calm back down, the tears came in. Not long, but I let them fall after thinking it might just be good to let them out. Even still, I kept telling myself it's stupid to cry when everything is fine. I then just got really mad at the man in the driver seat, the drunk driver.

It's not okay to drink, I don't care what the world tells us is normal. Let alone get so drunk that you can no longer function properly, yet you're impaired and get into a car risking not only your life, but the lives of everyone else. I was worried about driving home tired, but I know my limits. I did not factor in people who do not understand their limits.

After more silent pauses in thought, I realized I did not think to thank God. I mean, I did kinda. I knew I was blessed in that moment and I felt grateful. I was quick to want something done about it, and I was quick to push blame and get upset. I had every right for both. However, it was not just me who honked and swerved and it was not the other driver who just got in the car drunk, but still managed to understand what breaks mean. I thank God for protecting me, because that very well could have been a moment where I was not. And either way, all good things come from God. Even though one man made a horrible decision, God helped me live through it. I thank God every day I somehow make it on four wheels in the DC metro area back alive.

I'm tired. Good night.