I wrote this story a few years ago. Hope you enjoy.
The Car by Patty Panni
For Sale: 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 426 Hemi V8 4-speed. Fully restored to original factory specs, beautiful inside/out, one owner. Serious inquiries only. 555-0146.
There was so much more I could say about the car, but I figured that was enough to bait the hook. The picture was better than any words I could write, anyway. So, I hit Enter and posted the ad to our local buy-and-sell website.
As I finished my coffee, I thought back to the day I bought the car. I’d just finished my second overseas tour of duty in the Army, and I was still getting used to deciding when I would wake up, eat, and sleep, instead of having it decided for me. I’d saved most of my pay, dreaming of a fast car and freedom, and the day finally came. I drove my new Charger straight to Mary’s house from the dealership, ink still wet on the sales slip. I was raring to show it to her and ask her to marry me. That was a good day. Actually, that was the first of a lifetime of good days.
When we got married, the Charger took us to Niagara Falls for our honeymoon. I drove it to work every day and, when I got a better job, it took me there as well. It brought our first baby home from the hospital. And our second. Seems like that car has been a part of every big event in our lives. We would take the baby out for late night drives, when he just wouldn’t settle down and Mary was beside herself with worry. And just like magic, within a few minutes Joey would be out like a light. I also remember on some of those nights while Joey slept, Mary and I would park someplace quiet and climb into the back seat like a couple of teenagers. Yeah, the Charger held a lot of sweet memories, that’s for sure.
Of course, with two kids, Mary wanted us to have a family car… with four doors. I just couldn’t get rid of the Charger. It was a part of me…of us. So I took a second job to afford car payments on an Oldsmobile for the family. It was worth it.
As the kids grew, we started new traditions like most families do. Joey and Mark loved nothing better on a Saturday morning than heading down a dirt road to go fishing. I can still hear them hollering “Shotgun!” as they raced toward the car. I’d have to settle it before it got out of hand—making them take turns riding up front. Then, soon as we got home, they’d fill up a bucket with soapy water and wash the dirt off her.
As the boys got older, each inevitably wanted to borrow the car, to “go get a Coke” and show his friends, and—eventually—take a special girl to the movies. I’d give a stern lecture and a firm time limit, but I’d eventually hand over the keys. I knew how they felt.
The years flew by, taking our boys with them. They grew up, left home, and started their own families. Mary and I felt a little lost without them at first, but after a while it was sorta fun. We’d go on dates like when we were young…always in the Charger. By that time I was making enough money for us to live comfortably, and I began restoring the car. It was showing its age (weren’t we all?) and I wanted to keep the old girl as beautiful as she was the first day I drove her. A lot of good years passed that way – Mary enjoying her gardening and me working on the car.
Of course, nothing lasts forever, no matter how much we might want it to. Mary got sick last year and—before I could even wrap my head around it—the cancer took her. Just like that, the girl I’ve loved since I was a kid barely even shaving, was gone.
Nowadays, I’m thinking it’s time for a change. Time to get out of this house and into the world. The grandkids keep asking me to come visit them and I’m ready to do that; see new places and things.
And, it’s time to let the Charger go to a new owner, someone who’ll love her and take care of her like I did. Hey, there’s my phone. I wonder if it’s somebody about the car.
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