Sometimes no matter what one does ,you can’t change  what fate has ordained. Case in point ; I have a friend who works for the Department of Corrections  in the state of Florida. My friend whom I will call Tom, has never been in trouble with the law. He has a squeaky clean record, never been in jail ,only one parking ticket. He’s Black in his mid forties and a very intelligent guy. College degree, spent time in the service, has his own house and a lovely lady friend . He has no kids but she has two . Her name is Nancy. Just so everyone knows, they are not the guilty party I’m trying to protect.

 Nancy and Tom are pretty tight to the point that there’s nothing that one wouldn’t do for the other. Mutual loyalty , respect and admiration. Like most couples they have their differences but they have understanding and love for each other. Tom owns an SUV but Nancy does most of the driving, takes him to work ,drops him off and picks him up after work. Nancy doesn’t work a regular job but most of her day is spent running errands for her sick mom and aging grand mother. It was Tuesday morning the day after the Memorial day holiday. Tom had to go back to work after a three day weekend. He called Nancy that Monday night to make sure she would be on time because he had to be at work by 10 am on Tuesday. As fate would have it his alarm didn’t go off and Nancy was there by 9:30am . Since it only takes them fifteen minutes to get to his job they would have plenty of time. But Tom over slept and was just getting in the shower when Nancy arrived with her four year old son in the back, in his child seat. But with years of practice ,it only took Tom fifteen minutes to be showered , shaved ,teeth brushed , dressed and out the door. As Tom reached for the passenger door again fate interceeded. Nancy asked if he would drive so she could catch a quick nap on the way to work. He agreed and they were on their way to the Interstate.

   As they reached the on ramp and onto the main highway traffic was light but Tom pulled into the left lane to avoid slower traffic as they proceeded .He did this so he could make better time but still be within the speed limit. Once again the hand of fate ever so gently interceeded. About five mile down the road , just as they crossed the county line into Orange county , fate again showed her hand. Two deputy Sherrifs Crusers were parked perpendicular to the Interstate but well off to the side. In the year that they had driven this route they had nevr seen that but they were within the speed limit, so no problem, but fate had other ideas ! As tom looked into his rearview mirror , he noticed the Cruiser pull onto the highway about a quater mile back. By this time he had only a mile and a half to go before he reached his exit and was within the speed limit, no problem. He noticed the deputy had increased his speed as if to over take someone . Since there was no one in front of him , he was sure it was a driver further back. Now Tom nearing his exit decided he had best move to the right  as soon as he got an opening in traffic where it was safe to move over and let the Cruiser pass. As soon as he was sure it was safe tom moved over ,Nancy remarked , “I wonder where he’s going so fast .That’s what make peope have accidents” !  But the Cruiser pulled along side and stayed , Tom waved and mouthed Good morning. He was in uniform so he was sure there would not be anything to this. His exit was coming up anyway and in two minutes he would be at work.