City of Angels

“NO. NO! NOOOOOO!!!!” I screamed in desperation as the large black Suburban reversed into my little red Volvo in what felt like slow motion.  Who reverses on Sunset Boulevard at a red light without looking behind?! Honestly, people out here can’t drive.

It seemed as if the SUV was attempting a hit and run, but I followed it around the corner and down Highland until it pulled over.  The frazzled, late thirty-something, strung out looking blonde woman jumps out of her car and looks at the crumpled hood of my car in dismay. “The reason I reversed is because the woman in front of me reversed, and where is she now?!” she lamented woefully.

I looked at her and then at my bashed in Volvo in disappointment. “You should have looked.”

This comment snapped her into defensive mode. “Well anyways, I didn’t reverse. You hit me.”

Great.  We exchanged some unpleasant words for awhile and finally her husband shows up. He was staring at me.  He looked familiar.

“What happened?” he asked.

“She hit me!” exclaimed the woman.

I looked him squarely in the eyes. “Your wife is lying to you.”

We waited for 2 and a half hours for the good ole LAPD to show up, which of course, they never did.  We agree to exchange insurance and contact information.  Finally, she trudges over to my car.

“Look,” I say getting out. “I want to try to do this as nicely as possible. Could you please just tell the truth. That’s all I’m asking.”

Her eyes fill with tears. This woman who had been lying and cursing at me for the past 2 hours suddenly became…vulnerable.  “It’s just that, so many women have betrayed me. You just have to protect yourself out here.” she cried.

I sighed. Taking in her sad expression, I say sympathetically, “I’m sorry that’s happened to you.”

We talked for awhile about trust and finally she admits, “Well maybe I did back up a bit.” Her husband looked at her in exasperation.

“And, “ she continues. “Since we all live in the same building…”

So that’s why he looks familiar! Apparently he had recognized me right away from the building.  How crazy is that!

We hug. And she promises to tell the truth.  But refuses to sign a piece of paper saying she reversed.  She drives off.  My faith in trust and the world is restored

At that moment a large, burly man ambles towards me. “I saw what happened,” he says matter-of-factly. “You’re gonna need a witness.  Here’s my number.  My Name’s Eli.  My friend owns a body shop too. Call him. “ And then he was off.

Who was that man? I took his information, amazed at how kind he was, but knowing that I didn’t really need his help.  She admitted fault right?

Of course, 2 days later, after avoiding multiple calls from the insurance company, the woman gave the statement…that I hit her.  Luckily, I had my star witness who vouched for my story and gave me a slim hope that I might not be liable for this accident.

I wondered, had I been nicer to the woman when I first got out of the car, would she have reacted differently? My first instinct was to reprimand her because I was upset, but once I was kinder to her, she responded back with honesty. Nevertheless, she changed her story and lied anyways when it most mattered.  Still, I am glad that in the midst of crisis I chose to correct my tone and treat her better than how I viscerally wanted to treat her.

And Eli.  Eli was truly the angel of the night. Most people wouldn’t have bothered to get involved, but he made the effort for me, without asking for anything in return.  My friend Alana came by to rescue me. Angel #2. And the guy at the body shop took excellent care of me. Angel #3.

How many moments in life exist where we are given the choice to react to someone out of anger or react out of understanding? Or given the choice to help someone or walk on by? Yes, there are undoubtedly Angels among us, even on Sunset Boulevard.  The question is, when you are given the choice to act as angel or evil, which do you choose?  Lucky for me, Eli chose Angel.  I hope in the future I do too.

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