Here is what I did today and I am already sorry. On the third day of a check oil light, I actually drove the speed limit and a little above while checking my mirrors for police and looking ahead for white and brown cars with a full grill. I left Shady Lawn and wanted to keep my 12 p.m. appointment at Sears Optical. I laid the gas on and was beautifully confident I'd pull my car to the parking lot with enough time to circle for the shadiest side. This morning I passed in the left lane for - knowingly - the second time in a year.
I normally drive 5 below the speed limit. The RPM gauge is the one I really pay attention to. Above 2000 and I begin to back off. I don't make many friends on the road that way, I know.
Onto Burbank Ave., less than a change in a song away and the road inclines slightly and my car suddenly can't handle it. (GASP)(GASP) Gas tank is full after filled on Sunday. The oil - "the lifeblood of a car" - is causing a heart attack. Is the lack of power my reluctance to push the gas now that I know I am going to make it to Sears on time? Push a little harder and I'm not getting a response. There is a light up ahead and it's red.
Right here is where hindsight could blind a prairie wagon driver before he leads his horses off the edge.
At the next light I made it to I had all reason to be t-boned because I didn't stop at the red light. That SUV must have seen my emergency lights. A gas station with parking spaces on the corner was more than just logical. It was bleedin' needed. The engine kicked off as I tried to square up my parking spot. Made pretty good time.
I am now at Jason's house. I have the need to talk a lot tonight and listen to anything about his life. He's watching the basketball game. He laughed at something right as I typed, "Made pretty good time." I know I quickly did get over it. Chugging it to the shade of an overpass and hugging your knees on a cool concrete pad will unwind a stomach.
I really like the two pairs of frames I bought at Sears Optical. Eye exam included, I spent three hours in there. Thought about the car some but mostly tried to open my eyes more and a little more. You know, I brought two pairs of my glasses included the ones on my face. The other I put in a pot of steaming rice and vegetables because a couple scratches were in my direct sight line. Those lenses ate the dust.
I bought 5 quarts in Sears' backyard Wal-Mart. I also bought those sun shades for the front windshield. I pleaded that buying it would be a present to my car. And it's a Toyota Camry. I never forgot that. That it could haul and handle my stupid ass.
I unbuttoned my shirt and hung it on the hanger I keep. In my tank top I popped the hood and the opening guzzled all five quarts with thirst to spare. I am going to close the hood because I have done my part. These are the skills I have. It's going to work and I am going to drive away or I am already parked and I'll ask a cashier for the station's address to tell the tow truck.
IT'S WORKING! IT'S WORKING. I told you what these Toyotas can do. It sounds like my car. Motor as loud as an overworked Xbox. I sat with my door open blotting with water three spots from my pants I thought were oil. Ah, that's the damage, pants I bought two weeks ago and am wearing for the first time. I would use them for a rag at this moment.
Five minutes at idle and let's get to it. Reeved it and reversed it. I think I had my window down leaving the station. Turned on a green light and, man, I told you what these Toyotas can do. Back on schedule. Been a good day, really. One pair of brown frames and one pair of black frames. Spent two and a half hours at Shady Lawn visiting Catholic senior citizen residents. I settled a concern with Gladis who three weeks ago gave me $15 to give to Marie in the beauty salon. She was out and I left it at the front desk. I missed the last two Thursdays. Gladis may have thought I put in three months of weekly visits only to rip her off for $15. I knocked and introduced myself to Ralph for the first time. Gladis calls him a flirt. Lois says he took her place at dinner. I didn't see a bed in his room. I don't know where he sleeps.
I started a YA audiobook yesterday. Listened to the first disc while trimming four palm-like bushes. Scratched myself on every exposed piece of skin but lived with it because they surround the pool and that's where I was headed. Swam with Amelia, dried in the sun, dropped my trunks and returned with disc two to my room. Dropped the towel and laid down. This I did: I set a flashlight on my sternum. I have a crease there too. It felt like those relaxing black rocks of a massage package. I fell asleep and woke up two hours later with my flashlight and wanting more day.
The car didn't survive long on route 30. I can't tell you if at that point I worsened the damage. I went to the emergency lights and the shoulder quickly. C'mon oil, circulate! At some point with a stop and go again and about 10 mini horsepower, I vowed to make it to an overpass, car willing. I would stop there.
I mentally removed the tire iron from the trunk and broke 10 toes and five fingers. I did what I was asked to prevent. I have owned the car for eight years. I have come to love the car. Love it for it's year round heat. Love it for a lot more.
I composed myself within five minutes of straight sitting. Before that there was five minutes of in and out of the car and walking in the grass and not a bar on my phone. I looked up from between my legs and looked at my blinking car lights. I was not waving for help and no fellow drivers stopped. It was first a surreal, "How did I get here?" and "Why me?" That came while I was composed. But then I composed myself better. I did it on money terms and quickly accepted the thousand place minus one.
Brad from Rohr's Towing helped with composure. "We all make mistakes." That means this isn't the last one I'll make. My teeth haven't been rattled lately. A mechanic does his work and I'll pay my bill.
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