Ghost Story
Today's entry is a little ghost story of the last three hours of my life....
3pm Friday afternoon, temp in the low 60's (in Maine in November!), sunny day, home from work early with Howie. My suggestion is to head to the beach with the dog for an afternoon romp. Howie wants to get some schoolwork done, but agrees after a few pleadings from me.
3:15pm, in the car, dog, headbands, gloves (because it's never as warm at the beach). Off we go. Howie comments that the car smells like gas. I say no, 5 minutes later I agree that it smells, but I think it's more like oil. Constant whining from the back seat from a dog who now knows where we're headed.
3:20pm, arrive at the beach, out of the car, the smell is worse so Howie looks under the car and notices a gush of radiator fluid. The radiator is now EMPTY and steaming. I'm trying to hold on to an anxious dog that is SOOO close to freedom on the beach.
3:25-3:30. Call the mechanic, get a number for a tow truck (we canceled AAA three months ago because we never use it), call for a tow. By the way, the mechanic can't look at it until Tuesday! Today is Friday!!! Call a few friends and try to find: 1) a ride home from the mechanics, and 2) transportation to work for Monday and Tuesday.
3:30, I take the dog for a quick run on the beach, Howie guards the car so nobody parks in front of us so the towtruck can do his job.
3:50, tow truck arrives.
4:10, Car on truck, Moebius in car (kind of freaked out, but the won't let him in the cab of the truck), Howie and I in the cab with the driver for the 3 minute, 50 dollar tow to the mechanic.
4:30, Finally reach a friend who says he knows where we are, he'll leave his house in a couple of minutes to take us home. By the way, do you mind a sandy, furry beast in your car?
4:45, Grab a sheet from the trunk to protect George's car, head out to the road to wait for our ride.
5:00, Howie's getting nervous that George won't see us because it is getting dark. And dark in Maine is pretty dark. No street lights, all the businesses closed.
5:05, Howie decides we should hold up the white sheet I grabbed so George will spot us. I'm not too excited about this idea, but I go along reluctantly.
5:15, After holding up the sheet, I notice that it was an old Halloween costume, two eyes and a nose cut into it for a ghost.
5:20, Howie decides he'll just wear it like a ghost and wave it back and forth so every passing car can see him. It definitely lightens the mood, but damn, it's getting cold. The dog is even getting antsy.
5:25, Howie checks his cell phone, and we missed a call from George. Another thing about Maine is the cell reception is spotty. He went on Route 1 NORTH, instead of Route 1 SOUTH and he can't find us! Quick call to George and he is redirected to us. God, I love cell phones!
5:35, Help arrives! Warm car, sitting down, I'm happy.
6:00, Home again, we're all happy to be here. And yes, there is a puddle of radiatior fluid in the garage so my car was leaking before we even left for the beach.
