Two cops were out on a routine patrol when they pulled over a little girl for speeding. When they discovered the sad reason why she was illegally driving on the highway, it changed their lives. “Hey Jim, you’re gonna eat that?” Steve pointed at the last donut in the box. Jim looked regretfully at the donut and shook his head.
“I’m trying to eat less, you should too.” Steve laughed and snatched the last one. For cops, Jim snacking on donuts was a tradition, an unhealthy one. “There’s too much sugar in them,” Jim said. “That you talking or your wife?
Jim was about to reply when an SUV sped past their patrol block. Immediately, Jim turned on the sirens and started the car. “Did I see what I thought I saw? Little girl driving at supersonic speeds on the highway?” Jim asked.
“Yeah, same here,” Steve replied. The cops raced after the SUV with the lights and sirens blaring. The car pulled over to the side of the road. “What do you think you’re doing, Miss?” Jim asked when he reached the car.
The teary-eyed girl behind the wheel pleaded with Jim. “My daddy fainted when he was taking food out of the car, and he won’t wake up.” Jim looked in the back seat and saw an overweight man lying there. His skin had an unhealthy color, and his breath sounded strained. “I didn’t have a phone with me, but my daddy sells cars and taught me how to drive, so I’m taking him to the hospital,” the girl continued.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart, we’re gonna help you get your daddy to the hospital, but you have to let me or my partner drive, is that okay?” The little girl nodded and wiped the fresh tears streaming down her soft, round cheeks. Jim told Steve what was happening, and they called it in. Then, with Jim behind the wheel of the SUV and Steve driving in front, they rushed the little girl’s father to the hospital. The nurses and doctors rushed the overweight man into the emergency ward.
Jim and Steve then turned to the little girl. “Is there someone we can call to come and wait with you?” Steve asked. The girl shook her head. “My mom was dead, and I never see my other family because they live far away,” she sniffed.
“It’s just me and my daddy.” Jim and Steve shared a glance. Although they were both tough cops, not one had the heart to leave the little girl alone while the hospital staff treated her father. Just then, a nurse entered the room carrying a clipboard. She crouched down in front of the child.
“Hi, my name is Emily. What’s your name?” “I’m Sharon,” the girl replied. “Sharon, I’m gonna need to ask you some questions about your father’s health. Do you know if he has any medical conditions?
“He’s got diabetes,” the little girl pulled a face. “Ever since Mama died, he’s been eating too much, and I’ve been trying to tell him he needs to eat healthy food, but he still keeps buying burgers and donuts.” Jim nudged Steve with his elbow. “What I tell you about those donuts,” he whispered. Steve looked down at his stomach.
He’d recently put on weight, but it couldn’t do that much harm to have some donuts now and then. Sharon answered a few more questions, and then the nurse left. Steve and Jim sat down with her to wait. Although he didn’t say anything, Steve was worried the nurse might return with bad news. He and Jim would have to take Sharon to Child Services if the worst happened.
Although Steve knew the people working there did their best to help every child they encountered, he dreaded the prospect of handing little Sharon over to them. Eventually, Emily returned with a broad smile on her face. “Good news, Sharon. She said your daddy’s gonna be okay. He fainted because his blood sugar levels dropped too low.
He’s now awake and eager to see you.” Steve sighed with relief while Sharon jumped for joy. “Can we have a moment to speak with him?” Jim asked. “Of course, officer.
Follow me.” Steve and Jim entered the room while Sharon’s dad lay. His breathing still sounded labored, but his skin was healthier, and he sat up when he saw them. “Officers, I hear that I owe you my thanks for helping Sharon get me to the hospital. First time in my life, I had to pull over a child for speeding,” Steve replied.
The man chuckled, but Jim gave him a stern look. “Jokes aside, this is a serious matter,” Jim said. “Sharon told us her mom passed away, and you could have gone to meet her today. Diabetes is a serious illness, sir. I’m sure the doctors here told you that you need to take better care of yourself, but I feel obligated to tell you the same thing.
Jim moved closer to his bed. “Think about what would happen to Sharon if you died. You surely don’t want to leave that precious little girl an orphan.” The man hung his head. “No, I don’t.
I never realized how harmful my unhealthy eating habits were until today. Since my wife died, I started eating as a coping mechanism. With all due respect, sir, you need to find a better way to cope with your loss,” Jim said. “I know, and I will,” the man looked up with tears in his eyes. “This has been a wake-up call.
I know now that I’ve got to take better care of myself, even if only for Sharon’s sake.” “See that you do, and stop by the precinct when you’re feeling better. Steve and I can work out with you in the gym,” he patted his belly. “I could also stand to lose a few pounds.” A few weeks later, the man visited the precinct.
Soon, he worked out with Steve and Jim weekly and began losing weight. He started eating healthier foods and seeing a therapist to help him overcome his emotional eating habit. The three men became good friends as Steve and Jim also learned an important lesson about following a healthy diet and not overeating.
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