Farewell, Old Red
Yesterday, the old ‘90 Loyale could not get out of 1st. A tough decision had to be made fast. There is no alternate side of the street parking in midtown. Seeing this slow down coming on, I was parked at a 9am meter across from my trusted mechanic on 10th. Sure enough, the clutch was slipping. I was able to find a 2 hour meter on 11th, while I stopped upstairs to think this out. I called the closest tow company in the yellow pages, on West 51st and was transferred to 130th. For $150.00 cash, to the driver, they would tow my Grandma wagon directly to the car graveyard (junkyard). We made the arrangements.
Coffee in hand, I sat in Old Red for the last time. It’s tough to let go of a partner. I made myself empty the old water bottle and coffee containers, water damaged music tapes, and an old shelf, into the garbage. I am keeping the car blanket, bag of salt, maps and motor oil. I called my little brother, Old Red was his before mine. His laminated performer camping passes collection necklace, circa ‘98-’03 was in its proper place in the glove compartment. Of course he wanted that and the 911 Memorial Stickpin from the dash.
The tow company called my cell, they would be there in 10 minutes. The tow guy removed my plates for me and hooked her up. He told me to take a picture, but that was too much, like taking a photo of Grandma in the coffin. My son called as the tow truck pulled away and we said farewell to Old Red together, as I waved and watched her disappear into the traffic.
Life is not finite. Next, I find out from my mechanic, and check with the local precinct desk, that I should have scrapped the stickers off of the front window. As a matter of record, the cop tells me to go to the junkyard, find the car and scrape the windshield. Well, now I understand that that was my responsibility, but I had been through enough for one day. I did reach the tow guy directly, who reassured me that he had done that for me. Apparently, the scam is this; they tow the poor dead vehicle away and park it elsewhere in the street. I am liable for tickets, or anything else that I can imagine. If the car still has that sticker in the window, even though I did turn the Title over to the tow guy, I am still responsible.
Assured by the tow office guys on 130th that Old Red is laid to rest in the car graveyard, properly scraped clean, I still feel the need for closure. During moments that are intensely emotional and that also involve making decisions, I tend to give my trust to everyone involved. Afterward, I need to do more to protect myself. This means going to the DMV today and turning in the plates. Then, I am going to take a leap of faith and go on with my life. Her body is not even crunched and I already have an appointment to look at a used van that I am calling Big White.
A collaged Essay, 3-23-06
A Day or 2 in the life of Cyn McLean