Harley and I were only 5 minutes into traffic yesterday afternoon after leaving work when it happened. It was bumper to bumper on 17th Street (not exactly "rush" hour, more like "rush-to-pick-your-kids-up-from-school hour", which is even worse.) I remember picking out my clothes that morning and hesitantly dressing in a (very light) semi-long sleeve, slightly transparent shirt and tank top thinking "It's not summer yet, I'll only sweat a little on the way home..." - my A/C takes about 30 minutes to produce cool air in this weather (the first of April and it's already 82 degrees!)
So there I sat, beginning the process of perspiration, in my little Acura Integra in a line of intimidating SUV-driving soccer moms on their cell phones determined not to be the last one to pick up their kid.
Then it happened.
The familiar obnoxious rattling came to a halt and the warm air ceased to blow out of the air vents. I turned the key only to hear that horrible sound that when translated from car language into English means
"Too...tired...can't...go...anymore..." After about the 3rd attempt, traffic was back in motion and the patient SUV driver behind me waited a while, honked, then swerved around me leading the rest of the line into the turning lane as well. Normally I wouldn't mind being the center of attention and causing a traffic jam such as this, but my windows were still up, Harley was drooling all over the back seat, and I in my frazzled state couldn't find my hazards!! I immediately called Josh (what did we do before cell phones!?) and left a desperate message on his voicemail. Then I called Dad, then Mom who called me back to let me know a tow truck would be there within 40 minutes. Super.
I wondered,
God is this what I get for cutting off that Explorer back there cause I'M SORRY!
At this point I had my shirt unbuttoned (good thing for that tank top), discovered that my power windows still worked, and managed to turn my hazards on so people driving by would keep their yelling to a minimum hopefully realizing it was just some poor helpless girl stranded in her suffocating car with an 85 lb. dog drooling down the back of her neck. No big deal.
It didn't take very long for God to send me a Good Samaritan. Big truck, big smile and big muscles that pushed my car into the middle turning lane officially making me the "center" of attention on the busiest road in town. I noticed his shirt was labeled with the name of our friend's contracting business. I told him I was Josh Putty's wife and he shook my hand and introduced himself. (Josh knows everyone!!) I thanked him and he left when I assured him a tow truck was on its way. Josh called me back right when he heard my message and let me know he would be there as soon as he could. . . coming from Dunnellon (30 minutes away.) Harley and I "stayed put" per Josh's request, as traffic zoomed by us on both sides forcing me to roll the windows up and bear the insufferable heat.
Before I knew it my knight in shining armor arrived to rescue me. No, it wasn't Josh. . . it was a nice man with his shiny tow truck eager to rescue me from the fiery furnace!
The fun part about this was riding shot-gun in the truck while I watched Harley in the side mirror being towed with his head hanging out the window, ears flapping in the wind. Poor guy. We arrived safely at my mechanic's garage with Josh 5 minutes behind us. When Bo (mechanic) saw me come in he said "Was that you I saw stranded on 17th Street?" . . . "Yeah, she finally died on me." (I guess Bo is neither knightly nor Samaritan. Thanks dude. No, he really is a cool guy.)
I was trying to figure out how I would get to work the next day and was reminded that we have been contemplating the purchase of our friend Dan's Acura RL (luxury indeed compared to my 13 yr-old hatchback!) Bo also services Dan's car so I thought this an opportune time to ask him about its reliability. Ironically, Dan had it there in the shop at that time so Bo knew the very one I was asking about. "That's a great car," he nodded toward it out front, "it'd be a nice upgrade for you." Enough for me!
Hmm, Maybe this will urge Josh to make Dan an offer. . . !
As I transferred hot Harley from my ride to Josh's, Bo and Josh went inside and my tow truck knight wrote up my bill. When I mentioned using a credit card he suggested we stop by his shop on our way home and he'd just run it through then (don't you just love small towns.)
I went inside to give Bo my car key and he and Josh were looking over paperwork and seemed to be ignoring me. I noticed Josh had his credit card in hand and was signing something. When I asked what it was for, he continued to ignore me but looked at me with that sneaky little smile. Bo said he'd call us when he knew the problem and we thanked him. I was trying to figure out what he was up to and, knowing Josh, he probably gave Bo his credit card info so he could just charge tomorrow's repair work to his card leaving me free and clear of another bill. And being the wonderful husband that he is I imagined him secretively telling Bo to go ahead and fix the A/C for me as a surprise. ; ) Yeah, God blessed me with a good one!
We got in Josh's car and noticed Harley had managed to give the entire back seat a bath in his drool. Oh well, at least the A/C was cold. aaahhhh.
We drove around the building to the front and I pointed out Dan's car to Josh (hint, hint!) "Hey, did you see Dan's car is here too?" I said. "No, that's not Dan's car," he argued. "Um, yes it is. Bo told me he had his here too." (duh, how could he miss the "I (heart) my WIFE" bumper sticker on the back window!) "Jill, that is NOT Dan's car." Frustrated with his ignorance, I turned to face him, "YES, it. . ." - just as he held a big, fat key in my face and said, "It's YOUR car."
My reaction must have been good 'cause when I looked outside again Bo and his wife were standing there staring at us, grinning ear to ear.
Can I just describe to you how awesome those leather seats felt when I got in my 'new' car?!
And how much fun POWER locks are!!
And how nice it is to be able to listen to the radio instead of a noisy engine!
AND HOW FREAKIN' COLD THE A/C IS!!!
Whew!
(I did get goose bumps on the ride home and the A/C was on LOW!)
The first thing I asked Josh was if he had somehow planned for me to break down in the middle of the road. No, it was a huge coincidence (which I don't believe in) but it woulda been a cool plan. (Nice work, God.)
He was having everything done to the car and was planning on surprising me on our anniversary (May 1st for those of you who need a reminder.)
This is by far the nicest anniversary gift I've ever received.
And the best husband I've ever had too.
I gotta peel that bumper sticker off. . .
