When my cousin crashed our rental car, leaving me with a $5,000 bill, I spent months trying to get her to pay me back. Just as I gave up, I saw her flaunting her ‘success’ on social media and discovered I wasn’t the only one she owed. Karma caught up to her, and I got a front-row seat!
It’s been a year since that disastrous West Coast holiday, and I still feel the sting of that $5,000 debt. My cousin Debra, who’s supposed to be an accountant, racked up a huge damage charge on our rental car and then had the audacity to act like it wasn’t her problem.
It was under my name, so guess who got stuck with the bill? That’s right, me. Lisa, the ever-reliable project manager from Boston. I swear, some days I think my middle name should be “Doormat.”
I remember that holiday like it was yesterday. Seven of us cousins decided to get together for some “family bonding” out on the West Coast.
Debra was there, of course, with her charismatic charm and reckless attitude. One evening, she decided it would be a fantastic idea to drive the rental car down a narrow, winding coastal road at night.
The air was crisp, the moonlight casting eerie shadows as she sped along the road, ignoring my pleas to slow down.
“Come on, Lisa, live a little!” Debra laughed, her voice filled with reckless glee.
She cranked up the music and took another swig from her bottle. I clutched the seat, my knuckles white.
“Debra, please, you’re going too fast!” I yelled, my heart pounding.
She just laughed harder, taking a sharp turn way too quickly. My heart stopped as the car skidded toward the edge, tires screeching.
I thought we were all going to die that night, but the guardrail saved us. The impact when we slammed into it was jarring, leaving us all stunned and the car a complete wreck.
The holiday mood? Completely ruined.
When the rental company slapped a $5,000 damage charge on the car, Debra just shrugged.
“We’re family,” she said with a flippant wave of her hand. “We should all pitch in.”
The other cousins mumbled vague agreements.
“Maybe we can split it evenly,” suggested Jimmy, the peacemaker of the group.
“Split it? Are you kidding? I wasn’t even in the car,” retorted Martha, crossing her arms.
“I can’t afford that right now,” mumbled Jake, avoiding eye contact.
You should know what blue line painted on the street means
Every motorist understands the paramount importance of adhering to road markings, as neglecting them can pose a grave risk, potentially leading to tragic consequences.
In specific regions of the United States, residents may soon notice the emergence of a novel road marking: a slender blue line positioned between the customary yellow center lines. This unique blue line is making its debut on Maryland’s roadways as a gesture of tribute to the valiant police officers devoted to safeguarding their communities.
Beyond its symbolic significance, the blue line also serves a practical purpose, acting as a navigational guide to the local police station. This symbolic gesture seeks to acknowledge and honor the sacrifices made by police officers who courageously put their lives on the line each day in the line of duty.
Recently, Ocean City, Maryland, embraced the incorporation of these blue lines onto its thoroughfares, eliciting satisfaction from Mayor Rick Sheehan. Mayor Sheehan keenly recognizes the indispensable role played by police officers in upholding peace in the beach community, where they skillfully balance the needs of older retirees and the exuberance of partying teenagers.
Strategically positioned between the established yellow road divider lines on Ocean City’s 65th street, the blue line provides a clear path leading directly to the Ocean City Police Department headquarters. This initiative is envisioned to set a positive precedent, inspiring other communities across the nation to contemplate integrating similar blue lines as a visible demonstration of solidarity and support for their local law enforcement agencies.
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