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She was a 1998 dark blue Mustang
Hatchback and cassette tape deck
Blue plush seats and
Leather covered steering wheel
Really sporty and fast
Took me anywhere I wanted to go.
The best trips were to the beach
When a sunny weekend beckoned.
I’d leave early and get a donut at Allie’s
I had a system for taking all my gear
Settled in with other women and talked
About the latest makeup and work.
The long walk barefoot in the sand was the best
Checking out the other bathers
Checking out the guys
We would stay till the sun started to set
Gathering all our stuff
Planning the next trip.
Sweaty and salty I would head for home
The Police played loud on the tape deck
Roxanne, Every Breath You Take
Windows down sunroof up coconut oil in the air
The breeze brushing my hair and bare shoulders
Life was good.
There were trips to Florida
She didn’t skip a beat
Trips to Maine where pine pitch
Stuck on the hatchback
I never thought twice about
Driving her anywhere.
God I loved that car
Not the way a man would
No kicking of tires or
Prolonged inspection of the engine
She was perfect
I gave her a variety of names to suit my mood.
I just liked the freedom
She afforded me
I could wake up on a rainy day
And tool up to the museum in Boston
Or check the latest deals at TJ Maxx
Sometimes I would just take myself out to lunch.
She needed few repairs
No major ones
189,000 miles of pure pleasure
She died one day on the freeway
All the fluids just came out
Leaving her in the lot made me feel sad.
There was to be no other car
My right leg gave out
The PT said I couldn’t drive any more
I’ll never forget the independence
And good times I had with my car
Knowing I could go anywhere anytime.
Now she is just a memory I treasure
We talk about the trips
I reminisce about treks to the mall
And rides on the back roads
I had it all and I don’t mind
Most of the time it’s just okay.
Some of the good things in life
Go away without warning
Things we take for granted
Friends we treasure
It’s a good thing to keep track of them all
Some day they just lose all their fluids.
Sheila W. Mooney
March 2010



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