"I want a new car" she says quietly, "They're too expensive" I respond in an off hand manner. "I really need a new car!" with a bit more passion in her voice, I pause thinking it over, "I don't want car payments and besides new cars depreciate too much the first couple of years. Buying a 2-year-old used car is a better deal." I state in a clear logical manner. "I don't care! I really need a new car!!!" she states very passionately, on the borderline of anger. "All right Char, go buy yourself a car!" my voice rising just a bit in annoyance, "I WILL!!" is her answer. A stare, a shake of the head, silence... this conversation is over.
It's not a fight, hardly even an argument, it's the tenth or one-hundredth time we've had this conversation always with the same results. Char, with fire in her eyes determinately sets off looking for a new car. Hours later she returns - eyes glazed, looking disoriented. A classic case of "STICKER SHOCK" I muse, cleverly refraining from saying "I TOLD YOU SO." I help her to the recliner and turn on the TV, she's had a rough day of shopping. "Did you find anything?" I ask brightly, trying to keep the gloating out of my voice, "NO, I can't believe how expensive they are" in a quiet beaten voice, "The car's running rough again" she adds almost as an after thought. "I'll go take a look at it" I say as I head out the back door.
"It" is a 1967 MGB-GT, a cute little car she used to love to drive but after the first winter of hard starting, wet feet and all the "normal" Lucas - Prince of darkness problems, that love is changing to hate! "IT" is the reason for our latest round of New Car "conversations." (The MG saga deserves its' own special story).
The weekend ends quietly, kids in their rooms, one reading a motorcycle book, the other talking on the CB. We are in the family room, Char reading a book, and I flipping popcorn to "Licker" my black lab, the TV is on but turned down so low the bubbling sounds from the fish tank can be clearly heard, peace and quiet, the perfect way to end the day.
Monday morning, 5 a.m. I'm up, dressed and ready to start a new work week but first the most important event of the day, two (2), that's TWO episodes of Bullwinkle to put me in the proper "frame of mind" to deal with my fellow workers. Time passes.......
I return home from work, it's been a pretty good Monday all in all, better than most. Hmm! There's a car parked in the driveway in MY space! Must be a stranger I muse as I park in front of the house, I don't recognize the car.
Char meets me as I enter the front door, "whose car is that?" I ask, pointing at the shiny black BMW, "they're parked in my place." "It's mine, I bought it!" says Char, grinning, with a twinkle in her eye, waiting for me to say something. "How did you buy it, where did you get the money?" visions of huge monthly car payments jumping instantly to mind. "I wrote a check!" she says with a big smile on her face, "Oh" I reply, then silence, I shrug, give her a smile and go out to admire "her" new car. There's nothing left to say.