Riding The Tow Road

Such a surprise! What education there is to be had and mostly when we're not ready for it! Thursday, 3/2/06, five p.m., I'm driving away from my job, Arlington, VA, cabdriver. In my private vehicle, I head into D.C. to pick up my spouse plus a carpool regular. Half a mile into the ride, the blower fan isn't blowing very hard. Nooo!, I think, the reworking of fan controls is no piece o' cake: Frankly, I don't have the time or ability to "play" with auto electrics. Within 10 seconds the radio volume starts its own rollercoaster ride. LSS: the alternator for our li'l gocart [the '91 Honda's nick-name] has died. Now the amusements begin: I actually get the car to limp all the way into DC from Arlington. Close enough to my riders offices for them to walk to meet me, our carpool third announces that she's willing to let me use her never-used AAA coverage. Saweet!! We get a complimentary tow all the way home (30 miles) and along the way a little more magic. Darkness is effectively taking over the sky. The wrecker shows up in good time. The driver wears a Middle-Eastern accent and he drives for the love of it. He also loves to listen to Dave Matthews...all day and night. I'd long ago resigned to our fate for the evening. I'm in the front seat of the wrecker while all others are riding home with another party. As the truck lugs our car through and out of the city streets, I reflect on the revolving emergency beacons on the roof over my head . These flashing lights are hitting and illuminating each and every piece of reflective material, sign and number we pass on the road...ALL in perfect symmetry with the beat of the Dave Matthews piece beating out of the driver's CD player. I play with the scene in my mind and this takes me home. My evening is complete and I am one with the Universe.