Monday –
The Leak – Ah, the inexpressible joy of discovering the underside of your car draining antifreeze onto the driveway. The momentary relief of actually locating said leak, while mentally tallying the lack of funds available for a repair. Reminding oneself that a second vehicle and another income are not valid reasons for wishing one had a spouse.
The Computer Monitor – Begins flashing a myriad of colors, blacking in and out, fading from light to dark. Additional time spent stressing over lack of funds to replace, and wondering how well Darling Daughter would adjust to an immediate father.
Tuesday –
The Tire – The thrill of a text from a neighbor, informing you that the rear tire on the car is low. The heart-in-mouth drive to the gas station to put air in the tire, and the blissful moment one spies the gleam of a nail imbedded in the tire. The sense of deja-vu as one again contemplates the lack of funds for a second auto repair. Quickly surveying the patrons filling their car at the gas station, and realizing none look like a viable candidate for a husband.
The Monitor Redux - Computer-savvy friend informs me that computer is fine, but the monitor is definitely on the fritz. Retire to bed with a pounding headache.
Wednesday –
The Internet, The Phone, The TV- Staggering into the office with the day’s first cup of coffee, cheerfully anticipating checking email between flashes of color on the monitor. Noticing, with dismay, that the batter pack that runs the phone, TV, and computer inside the house is dead – again. Make that the third time since last October. Remembering, with dread, the 3 hours and 40 minutes spent on the phone with outsourced tech support – just three short weeks earlier. Making a mental note that contemplated Quickie Spouse should be a tech geek.
Thursday –
The Battery – Making the usual drive to pick Darling Daughter up from the bus stop. Waiting in the unseasonable heat on the parking lot for the cherub to arrive home from school. The moment when one starts the car, anticipating the ride home, chatting about DD’s day, but only hearing an ominous click when turning the key in the ignition, which led me to…
The “Good Samaritan” – Asking the woman you greet every day while waiting for DD if she can give your battery a jump, only to hear, “No, uh-uh. I’m afraid something will happen to my car. Don’t you have Triple A or an auto club, or something? I mean, I hope you can figure out something soon, but I can’t help you.” So much for Sisterhood. Thanking God for the older sister of one of DD’s bus mates, who realized I was having trouble, and cheerfully helped me get the car started. Thank God for Sisterhood. Upon arriving home, I experienced…
The Epiphany – My next door neighbor. He owns a truck and a vintage Camaro that he restored himself, including rebuilding the engine! Invite neighbor to peruse under the hood of my car. Neighbor cheerfully says it will be “a piece of cake” to repair the leak, and that he will do it Sunday morning. I abandon all thoughts of hastily acquiring a spouse with relief.
Friday –
The Tech Visit – A lovely young man, who couldn’t have done more to help me get the internet, phone, & TV up & running again. Yes, he informed me that I would be billed $55 for the visit, but that it would be broken into installments, and added to the monthly bill. Got his supervisor’s email address to write a letter of commendation for his outstanding service.
Saturday –
Empowerment – Buying supplies for Sunday’s scheduled car repair. Though all is not right – yet - with the monitor and the car, feeling happy to have just survived the week, and rejoicing that all items purchased for the repair cost a mere $35.00.
Sunday –
Relief – Brilliant next door neighbor has replaced fitting and hoses on the car in 40 minutes. Internet, TV, and phone working without a hitch. Next door neighbor can also plug hole in tire. The Giants won the Super Bowl. A friend has an extra monitor. Darling Daughter assures me that this week will be better. I agree.
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