Did you ever find yourself wanting something so badly, you are up in arms as to how to get it? Have you ever found yourself marking down the days, weeks and even months on the calendar, until the "X" marks the spot?
Well, let me present to you, dear readers, my current dilemma.
I currently live on Shaw Avenue with my mom and the whole "Motley Crue." My lovely car, a maroon 1994 Ford Taurus, had been parked on South Pine Street in Lewistown for a few days when I awoke to whisperings of what only sounded like uncertainty.
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My sister appeared in the doorway, the look on her face staged with melancholy.
"Does your car have a huge gash down the side?" my sister, Kelley, inquired. "I don't think so," I replied. Surely she must be mistaken. It's probably a nick of some sorts.
She had seen my car several times. How could a person mistake a "huge gash" from just a tiny scratch? I laughed at the thought.
Yet when I walked down the stairs and peered outside, my sister had not been mistaken. There appeared to be a giant "gash" along the driver-side door.
Upon closer inspection, it looked as if a transformer had rocketed through the intersection and sliced my door. I thought this stuff only happened in the movies.
It turns out the damage on the car deems it "totaled." For a lack of better words - junk.
What does this signal in my mind? New car! Wrong. I have student loans, a new baby, a fiance that needs to eat (on an hourly basis), etc. ... Oh, and did I mention bills?
As much as I would love to get a new car, or even a used one, it's just not in my budget nor is it in my family's budget. Jeremy and I have had this discussion plenty of times in various ways, but we always come back to the same conclusion. No car - right now anyway.
My father, who has since passed on, taught his girls to work hard and everything will happen as it's supposed to. Well, I'm a firm believer of that to this day. If my car was supposed to get slammed by Megatron in a late night duel with Optimus Prime - so be it. I'll live.
If I have to go without a car for a few days, weeks and even months - I'll survive. I like to look at the positive side of the equation. Jeremy and I still have one vehicle to use between the both of us. I also have to thank God I still have my job.
It turns out Mom was more angry about the damage than I ever was. I, on the other hand, took a bunch of pictures and showed them to everyone I could. It's done and over with, there's nothing I could do. Of course, the car is registered in her name, so I can understand her agony.
For the future, Jeremy and I plan to save as much money as possible. If it is within our means to "splurge" on a new or used car within reason, so be it. However, our goal is to purchase a new vehicle within the next year. Did I mention Jeremy's car is going south, and fast, as well?
But for now, I am going to try and be as responsible as possible. After all, I have a baby to take care of. I wonder what little Emma thinks of all of this. I try to picture what type of car she will look cute cruising around in.
The calendar is officially marked.
Tara Maguire is a Sentinel reporter and can be reached at tmaguire@lewistownsentinel.com.
