Tammi's World

Oh what a night….

Yep, that’s right folks. I had me yet another adventure. Let me tell you a story….

A couple of years ago, while living in Orlando, Maggie May (my car) decided she was tired. So she stopped. In the middle of I4. During rush hour. Not really what one could consider a “good time”. While this was going on, I happened to be on the phone with Bou. I stayed pretty calm. Poor Bou. She was a bit worried.

Anyway – flash forward 2 years. It was record heat in Chicago yesterday – the temperature showing in the car was 106 degrees. I was at the intersection of Touhy and Harlem – kind of a busy intersection especially at rush hour – on the phone with Army Wife.

Tammi: Oh no. Shit.
AW – What?
Tammi: Car just stopped. Stopped. Nothing. Gotta go. Gotta call a tow truck.

Calm. Cool. Ok – hotter than hell at 106 degrees but not freaking out. I ordered the tow truck, arranged for someone to work on the car, called the bank about money available and options, made a back-up plan, prayed I wouldn’t need it and then took a deep breath. I really did keep it together well until I called T1G. That poor guy. I don’t know why but as soon as the beep on his voicemail went off all I could say is:

This is the stupidest call I’ve ever made. I have no idea why I am calling you but…..(insert cryin’) my car broke down. I’m stuck in a f*ckin’ intersection at rush hour and its sooooo hot..... (down hill from there)

WTF? I’m not that girl usually. But – hey, I’ll just blame the heat.

Anyway – I was blocking traffic bad. They said it would be 2 hours before the truck got there. Not good. I was the front car in a left turning lane. I figured either someone would rear end me or shoot me. I had flashers but no one was paying attention. I called the cops to let them know – yeah. THAT was real helpful.

Then I saw them. My Angels. From the Jiffy Lube across the street ran three guys to push me out of harms way. They got me around the corner and in a parking spot. Then had me follow them back to the shop to wait in air conditioning. I told them I owe them a beer. Might not have been my smartest move – they tried to set an actual date. YIKES.

Anyway – I get a call telling me the truck should be there shortly. I cross back to the parking lot and stop at Subway. I needed a drink. Badly. I get a large soda with the last of my cash. And walking back to the door, my hands shaking badly, I dropped it. Son of a Bitch.

Finally the truck gets there and loads up Maggie May. She looked so pitiful. And a little smug if I must say so myself. Hmmmmm

Tow driver? Very nice. His girl friend? Sweet (kept complimenting me – hope they weren’t expecting a tip. I was BROKE!)

Get to Pep Boys and it almost closing. They can’t look at it till Tuesday. I make sure they understand I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TUESDAY NITE. Even told them they might want to read my file. I am, after all, flagged as a difficult customer. And it ain’t all wrong.

Meanwhile – I had called a girl I work with so that someone at work knew what was going on in case things went to hell last night. She calls me and asks what I’m doing. I tell her sitting in the lobby of Pep Boys. She was in the parking lot to pick up me. She took me to grab a sandwich, pick up a toothbrush, hairbrush and deodorant as well as something to wear to work. Then she had me come home with her. I slept in her Down Town Chicago condo on the floor. This morning smoking my cigarette I got to walk along Lake Shore Drive. Wow. Not only was that very nice – it was a real treat.

So – I’m waiting to hear from Pep Boys. I’m not gonna tell you I’m not worried. But – what ever it is, I’ll work it out. I cannot buy a new car any sooner than Christmas. And if this requires too much work, she’s gonna have to run until next fall. Period. No options.

But that is what my evening looked like. I’m just hopin’ today turns out a bit better.

**And special thanks to LW and Teresa for cking on me and listening to my venting of hot, hot, hot!!!

Posted by Tammi at August 1, 2006 08:00 AM | TrackBack