She phoned about five minutes ago and says, "I have some bad news..."
I can hear from her voice that nothing is really wrong so I know she hasn't been in an accident. I think, 'Did something break in the family car or isn't working? Or did one of the kids fall on the ice or something so I can't take them skiing tomorrow as planned?'
Her voice falters a bit, she screws up her courage, and then says, "I think I hurt your car…"
NOooooooooooooooooooo!
*%#~%!!!
I run to the garage (which is separated from our house by the backyard) just in my pajamas even though it's about 15 below Celsius right now. It's a two car garage and even though I put the Spider as far over as I could, there's still not that much space for the Mazda 5 (the minivan -- no I'm not a secret Miata owner). Adding kids, snowbanks, and a neighbour in the back alley whose car was at an odd angle makes for a tricky mix.
It turns out the family car bumper snagged the cover of the Fiat and ripped it, but I couldn't see any body damage underneath: Just a bit of dust displaced but no damage to paint or body panels-- especially the protruding rear wheel well, rear quarter, or where the small chrome bumper attaches.
Phew!! That was very close -- another inch would've done it!!
Five minutes later and my wife and I are still on very good speaking terms
Now, don't get me wrong: The car is just a material thing that can be replaced and I certainly don't love it more than my wife or kids! But it does bring me (and all of us in the family) a lot of joy so I wasn't looking forward to anything that might keep it off it off the road any longer than it has to be.
I hope my wife wasn't on speakerphone initially so that my (not so?) innocent daughters didn't hear all them them cuss words!!
C'mon spring!!
Cheers,
Phaetn
