We’ve been back for three days and aside from a few more loads of wash to go (an the dreaded ironing) we are pretty much back in our home routine. The lawns have been mowed, the frig has been restocked (although not in that order) and Andy has again headed back to UCSD to teach a couple of semesters. It’s just Dave and I and the “girls” here and life is good.
We’d planned on having a nice family dinner on Sunday to send Andy off on his trip. But, life doesn’t always stay on a plan. Our first challenge was in getting Andy’s car to start. He didn’t drive it that much while he was staying with us and due to a lack of income, tended not to put much gas in the tank unless going on a trip. The combination of hot summer weather, a minimal amount of fuel in the tank and inactivity did not make the poor old Honda inclined to start on the first turn of the key, or second or third either. The men folk leaned under the open hood of the car, inspecting stuff and it was determined that a new battery was in order.
After a quick trip to Walmart and new battery installed, Andy put the key in the ignition hoping that would do the trick. Voila; no change. He kept at it, letting it rest between tries until the engine finally turned over and began to run. Quickly, he jumped back into the car and drove off to fill the tank. Victory!
Maggie said she would be arriving a little after five however she called just before five to say she was just heading out the door. Dinner would be delayed. Regrouping, we started the charcoal a little later than first planned and just put the chicken on the grill when she called again. She was pulled over on the interstate just about twenty miles from the exit because the temperature gauge in her car registered her engine overheating – no steam, no check engine light, just a high reading on the gauge.
Although I sometimes complain that Dave isn’t always quick to lend a hand, when it comes to stuff like this, he is a champ. Handing me the tongs and basting brush, he changed his shirt and left to rescue Maggie.
Knowing that your child is stopped in a car on the shoulder of an Interstate is a stressful experience. For me it is especially nerve wracking because we lost my Uncle Bob and Aunt Chloe a few years ago when they were stopped on the road. It was early on a Saturday morning, there was very few cars on the road and the weather was clear. Nonetheless, a young man who fell asleep at the wheel went off the road hitting and killing them both. Because of this the danger is real to me. Being able to call her every few minutes on her cell phone made us both feel better, but obviously would provide no protection from a vehicle coming at her.
Meanwhile, here at the house, the chicken was cooking and Andy was packing up his car.
After about an hour, Dave called. He’d put some oil in her car and they were heading to the exit. A few minutes later he called back saying the car was still overheating. After some deliberation, Maggie decided to call for a tow. They would be delayed a while longer
Back at the ranch, Andy and I decided to eat dinner so he could stick to his schedule and leave on time. Instead of the family dinner I’d planned, with all four us around the table, Andy and I sat with our plates on the coffee table, eating our chicken while watching Mythbusters. After dinner, he loaded the last of his belonging into his car, kissed me goodbye.
About an hour later, Dave and Maggie walked through the door. Maggie was wiped out. While they were filling out the drop out form at the garage they witnessed a head on collision on the road fronting the station. I think that seeing and hearing the crash was a vivid reminder of just how lucky she’d been.
So, a day and a half later, Maggie’s car is out of the shop and she is on vacation with her friend Allie. Her temperature gauge had died. Andy just texted me that he and his friend Justin have just arrive in San Diego. His trip went well but now his check engine light is on.
As for me, I got up early, went to Lowe’s, rescued some “reduced” plants and spent the better part of the morning weeding and planting. We are enjoying a cool day and the windows are open. Except for the hum of the laundry equipment, the house is quiet.
What more can I ask for?