Security work can be so boring. I was on patrol, in my Ford Festiva, putting along, through the gated community. After 9PM, you might as well shut the place down. All the seniors are tucked in for the night.
The most excitement is catching a couple of cheaters making out by the Rec Center after Bingo. Other than that, staying awake is a challenge.
So, I was surprised to see the old Cadillac off the side of the road, with the lights on. I called the office and told them I would check it and let them know.
It was a female, and I tapped on the glass with my flashlight. She was startled. "Are you okay, Ma'am?"
She lowered her window, and I smelled the alcohol right away. She was in her sixties, attractive, wearing a black cocktail dress with plunging neckline, a string of pearls and gold hoop earring. Very put-together. And obviously drunk.
"Oh, hello, I'm so glad you came by! I'm not sure where I'm going, I just moved in and got confused in the darkness!"
She had a GPS in her hand, trying to program it, which is tough enough sober. She gave me her address, and she wasn't far off. I asked if she was okay to drive, and she assured me she was.
If she left the car there, it would have been towed, either by the community or the town. If the cops came upon her, it would have been a DWI for sure.
"Tell you what, we go nice and slow, follow me but not too close, and I'll lead you. If you start swaying, we stop, okay?"
"Oh, thank you, Officer! This is so nice of you."
"Well, I'm just security, but be careful, okay?"
She agreed, and in 3 minutes, she pulled into her driveway and opened the garage, remotely. I called my office, told them everything was okay, and that I would be taking my break after this. I walked up to the garage to make sure she was okay to get in the house.
She was climbing out of her car, the black dress pushed way up by the seat belt, and the tops of her stockings were exposed, quite a risque outfit for someone her age. "Are you okay now, Ma'am?"
"Oh, yes! I really want to thank you! I promise, I'll remember next time." She stood, and I couldn't believe how tiny she was! With good-sized heels, she still only stood 5'3, and she held on to the car door to steady herself.
"Yes, well, you should also be careful about how much you drink, if you plan on driving. Otherwise, use a car service."
She lowered her head like a little girl being scolded. "I know, I was just... feeling sorry for myself. Moving here from New York is so different, so quiet. And it's 6 months since my husband passed."
I felt rotten for reprimanding her. "I'm sorry to hear that. But just be careful, okay? We don't want you getting hurt, okay?"
She smiled again, bright white teeth and I wondered if they were originals or caps. She had short grey hair, parted on the side. She brushed the hair away from her face, and I saw the light color of her eyes, very striking, pale blue. "You're very sweet. I hope I meet more people like you! But everyone is so old, and unfriendly!"
"Well, I'm sure with a smile like that, you'll win them over!"
She brightened. "That's so nice of you to say! You just made my night."