Life Interrupted

It was a typical March morning for my family, as we were getting ready to head out to the local flea market across town for our Saturday getaway. Suddenly, my fiance came rushing into the house and he announced that my car had been stolen. I was so angry and shocked; I didn't understand that someone had actually stolen my car right out of my own driveway. Once, I gathered my thoughts, I called the police to report that my car had been stolen and await their arrival.

I decided to ask my all of my neighbors, if they had noticed someone around my car or if they seen it leave throughout the night. My next store neighbor stated, "I heard your car start and leave at three in the morning, but I thought you left in an emergency...I'm sorry!".

After the police arrived and took my statement, they began taking each neighbors statement as well. The police finished getting everyone's name and his or her statements, as I decided to sit on my porch and wait. I always thought that I would hear my own car start in my driveway, however I never heard it start or pull off that night. Besides, I never thought anyone would want to steal my little red 1993 Dodge Shadow, but evidently someone did!.

I was still in disbelief, I kept hoping that someone was playing a prank on me, but it wasn't a prank...it was real! Suddenly, I became frightened by the thought of someone being that close to my home, I suddenly felt violated and angry. The police officer was finishing his police report, as I tried to recall all the items that I had left in the car. Then, I realized that my briefcase was still in the backseat of the car, which made worried about this person having my personal information.

Before the office left, he shared a story about his favorite motorcycle, which had been stolen from him when he was nineteen. He disclosed to me that the stolen motorcycle was never recovered and I began to worry that my car would have the same fate. The officer gave me a yellow copy of the police report, as he shook my hand and explained someone will contact me once the car was found.

Immediately, I called my car insurance company after the police officer left, in order to report the theft of my car. I became disappointed with the way that there was a answering machine system, which actually recorded my claim with per recorded questions. I left my police report number along with my contact number on the recording. It was fully covered and it took three days to start the claim, which made it frustrating for me. I anxiously awaited a telephone call from the insurance agent, who finally returned my call on Monday.

The car insurance agent stated, "We will only cover eighty percent of the rental car fee. You can pick up the car after two o'clock this afternoon."

After a couple of days of driving the nice blue rental car, spotted my car in the back of apartment building parking lot. My car was parked over ten miles away from my home, so I called the police to report that I had found my car. I called them from the neighborhood convenience store, in order to make it easier for the responding police officer to find me. Luckily, I could see my car from the store parking lot, while I contacted the police using my cell phone.

The officer who responded to the call was rather rude when he stated, "We aren't going to look for the person who stole your car. It was found abandoned and in front a set of apartment buildings."

I didn't understand how a thief can turn my life upside down and get away with it, I felt angry and helpless during that moment! The officer checked the tag and quickly shined his light on my broken ignition switch and he verified that the car was stolen. He gave me another yellow piece of paper and I called a tow truck to carry my car home, while I followed behind them in the rental car.

Once I made it home, I quickly called the insurance company to report that my car had been recovered. However, I got the dreaded answering machine again and I left a message about finding my car along with my phone number. I couldn't believe it took two days for the agent to call me back and he agreed to send someone to look at my car.

The next day, I met the adjuster and I learned that my car was only worth five hundred and twenty-five dollars. After he deducted the five hundred dollar deductible, I received a check for twenty-five dollars. I became angry and devastated, since I didn't have enough money to buy another car.

That night, my twin brother called and gave me a Jeep that he was no longer driving. I felt thankful for his gift, so I tried to get back to a normal life again. I wasn't sure if I'd ever feel safe again, but I had to try and put this interruption behind my family. Soon, we were on the road again and making the most of our time together.