Happy 4th!!
I just said goodbye to my 1989 dodge colt hatchback. Say goodbye to a car? You bet. That car was more loyal then most men i have known. After i left the mattress store for the 2nd time, i fell into a terrible financial state. My brand new intrepid was repossessed. My house in jeopardy, narrowly escaping foreclosure. I was working at the gourmet catering firm, loving it, but trying desperately to pay my bills. I never thought i would see the mattress store again, but then i got the call. New owners...owners who had heard about my reputation in sales. "would i come back?" I didn't want to. I was struggling so much financially, cooking, but, i had lost 20 lbs, in sheer hard work and exuberance, and looked forward to each day...creating, tasting, being ALIVE in my work.I knew if i went back i would gain weight again, with the 11 hours a day eating junkfood on the fly, the pains would come back in my neck and shoulders, the association with cutthroat, immoral people would be my life.
I did it anyway. My kids needed more then my excuses "i don't have the money" They needed groceries, not my 101 ways with pasta and a can of tuna fish. I wanted the simple amenities back, cable tv, garbage pickup(my neighbors let me put my garbage with theirs).,
And that little car? I had been driving the company catering van after my car was repo'd. I had to give it back, of course, when i started at that mattress store. So...no money built up in commissions yet, i begged rides from my coworkers and friends. Hard to do, because i don't like to ask anyone for anything. I ended up at a little used car lot. I had to be at work in one hour. "what do you have that runs, for 400.oo dollars?" i asked. The salesman's name was Raz(swear to God). He tried everything to step me up to a car with payments., even with my bad credit. " I don't think i made myself clear", i said." I have 400.00 dollars. Thats it. What can i drive off the lot for that?" It was December 11th, and the snow was gently billowing from the gray clouds. He led me to the back lot, and i grabbed his arm to keep from slipping in my heels. And there it was...a mediocre brown, tiny dodge colt. "I'll TAKE it!" i said. We did the paperwork, Raz shaking his head in disapproval, and then handed me the key. "You do drive stick, right?"
Oh sweet God in Heaven Above! I hadn't driven stick since Todd was a baby....YEARS AGO....."Sure do" I said...i just need a quick lesson.."How do i get in reverse?"..
Twenty minutes left to get to work...I drove that little car right off the lot, with a paper tag in the rear window. I stalled, and humped, and shook all the way to work, but i made it. The brakes were bad, the radiator leaked, and the speedometer only worked in warm weather. But it never left me by the roadside, and always got me where i wanted to go.
It needs a new home, with a guy that will take care of it, fix it, understand it. I bought a 800.00 car, and i have to confess i don't like it much, but, it will do, for now.
The colt's new home? I gave it away, to the young delivery guy at work. He hasn't any money, and he is newly married with a baby. I know everyone thinks i am crazy for not selling it, but, it came to me as a gift...who but the angels could have made a 400.00 car last almost 2 years with no repairs? So a gift it will remain, to be passed on....Later.