Yep, that's what I said Thursday night in the Cy-Falls parking lot! Kole was at Fish Camp at Falls while I attended the parent baseball meeting. Both ended at 8:00, so I just met Kole at the van in the parking lot. There were people EVERYWHERE so there was no getting out of the parking lot anytime soon. Kole and I just sat in the van and talked about Fish Camp and the baseball meeting. At one point, a white Silverado truck backed into the spot next to us, not sure why. After a couple of minutes he started to pull out. He was pretty close to us and as his front end got past our van (remember we were PARKED and not moving) I could tell he was so close he'd clip us as he couldn't pull out far enough into the traffic because there were still lots of vehicles going both directions. YEP--I heard that awful sound and there was nothing I could do about it. The driver pulled out and kept going. I got out of my van and yelled, "Hey, you hit my van!" (I really did refrain from using any other vocabulary and Kole was my witness!) He pulled ahead a few more spots and parked. His white truck had a nice red mark on it. My van had the rear quarter panel on the passenger side and the rear bumper hanging off the back end. When the driver approached, something came over me--How would I want someone to react to my 18 year old? So, as Patrick (Yes, I knew him. I taught him in kindergarten at Fiest and his dad is a pastor.) he looked very upset and nervous. I re-introduced myself to him and a sense of relief washed over his face. He explained he'd just had the truck for a couple of months and was still getting comfortable with pulling out of parking spots. He was trying to avoid hitting a car in the traffic and didn't realize how close he was to me when I turned. He explained he'd never been in an accident before and didn't know what to do. I told him I'd help him and not to worry about it that it would be okay. Of course the last time I was in an accident was 15 years ago, so I wasn't a pro either--thank goodness! (Plus Kole just finished driver's ed and was a pro as to what I was to do. He kept insisting I take pictures! If I didn't know the person, I might've listened to him.) While we were exchanging our information, I was waiting on Kev to come help me. He was still working at Aragon, but headed our way as there was no way I could drive the van home. Patrick said he'd wait with me until Kevin got there, although I could tell he was nervous as to how Kev might react. Patrick even helped Kevin bungy-cord the bumper to the van so I could get it home. Once we got home, Patrick's dad called and apologized again as well. He would contact his insurance first thing in the AM.
I called our insurance that night. They explained that since I was parked, the "no fault" rule wasn't in effect. The other party was totally at fault. Their insurance did call us FRI afternoon and explained they'd be paying for complete repair and a rental car. The van went in today and we should get an estimate back on MON. Kev got a rental car, some KIA thing, I don't know--other than it's big enough to help get Ky's stuff up to A&M tomorrow.
Looking back, I can't believe I didn't cry. I was so tired, working 12-14 hour days all at school and then more hours at home. However, I think God intervened and gave me the peace to make this a win-win situation for all. I wouldn't wanted to have someone yell at Ky and freak her out, so I didn't do that with Patrick either.
No one was hurt and that was most important! My bumper had a few nicks on it from the garage door handle, so know it'll look like I have a new van! Kev thinks it'll be a 1.5 weeks before I get it back.
The other thing I was reflecting on was that in the last 10 years, I drove everywhere all over the district usually 4 days a week. I never once was in an accident or received a ticket. Now, with being officially on the job for less than 3 weeks and could walk to work, I get in an accident and am without a vehicle. Still trying to figure out that message from God!
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