Bye Bye Speed

I have lots of “stuff” and I even need some of it. But there are few things I own I can say I truly love. One of them was my ’04 Mazda MX5 Speed. That’s right. WAS!

Yesterday I was driving down a busy road leading to my street when this kid decides to race his Neon through his stop sign at about 40 MPH. He never even slowed down. What a thrill…for us both. I T-boned him doing 35 myself, knocked him into the yard across the street, spun around and got to experience what it’s like to have the air bags deployed. Take it from me. It’s thrilling for about a second, and then the fun stops immediately.

I got out of my car which was smoking and wheezing (dying last gasps), coolant running all over the street, glass and shattered plastic and metal parts laying there, thanking my lucky stars I could get out of it, and realizing that I should have been but was not hurt. I ran over to his car thinking he was dead. After all, I had T-boned him right at his driver’s door. I expected to see him bloodied, laying across his steering wheel, semi-conscious. But, thankfully, he was crawling out the passenger side window.

Ball cap still backward on his dazed head he asked me if I was alright, said he was real sorry, and held his hand out to shake mine, like we were buddies for making it through this grueling experience together.

I lit into him with a litany of expletives and observations I reserve for only the most deserved. Shake my hand? I ought to wring your dumb-ass neck. Thank God we’re able to walk. Look at my car. It’s totalled because of you, schmuck. Idiot. Asshole. You get the idea. Most of the words (left out here) were not that kind.

I called the cops, they showed up, called for a wrecker, and we stayed at the accident site for an hour or so doing paper work and causing a small traffic jam.

Ever since I got that car I have been extra special careful about what’s going on round me, behind me, anywhere near me. Yesterday was no exception, but this happened so fast and so “out of the blue” that in spite of my diligence it happened anyway. It just goes to show you that no matter what you do to safeguard yourself there is no way to account for “stupid.” Please people, be very aware of what’s going on out there. The streets are a jungle, and we get so complacent driving around it’s easy to let our guard down for just a second. That’s how long this accident took. A second.

To say I’m grateful for being here to write this is an understatement. It could have turned out a lot worse for both me and that kid.

Last night Connie asked me if I was done with sports cars. I know she hopes I never get another one. I’m not sure what I’ll do right now. I don’t want her to worry about me…she’s a professional worrier…but I can’t stop living my life either. Please don’t ask me WWJD. He never knew the thrill of driving a Mazda MX5 Speed. And what a thrill it is.