Writers Workshop ~ 1980 Honda Civic aka The Yellow Deathtrap

This Weeks prompt are as follows:


1.) If you had to go back to high school, how would you do it differently?
2.) Describe a trait that attracted you to your significant other, but that now drives you a little crazy.
3.) Your first car.
4.) Describe how you met your best friend.
5.) Write a love letter to someone (some thing?) you love.


I figured that I would start with the one about my first car (It still gives a few of my friends nightmares even after 10+ years) then write about how I met my best friend followed by a love letter to Coca Cola. (Yes, you read that right).  

When I was 16, Mom said that if I found my way back and forth to the drivers ed course (which of course was 14 miles round trip) I could get my licence and get a car.  OMG my teenage heart was dead set on getting that privilege!  So, I set out to walk to the school and in Texas heat in June that is no small feat.  After the 4 weeks in class and 3 weeks behind the wheel of a monster truck, I was given my DL41A form and off to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) we went.


My uncle was big in collecting and fixing cars, so I received my first car as a gift and at first I was immensely dissapointed.  It was a hollowed out, rusted shell with the engine in pieces in the back section of the car.    My stepfather at the time, Gale, told me to be patient and I would be happy with the results.  So, I figured whatever, as long as it was ready by the first day of school  cause I paid $65 for a premium parking spot.  What is sad is that by the time school started we had moved right down the road from the school.  


Anyhow, a week before school started the car reappeared, painted bright smiley face yellow and running!  YEAH!!!  I was all sorts of happy, even when I found that the drivers side seat was not fully bolted in.  It was a manual (stick) shift 5 speed.  I topped it out at 135mph (Lord I hope Mom never reads this post) and the bright color made it easy to find.  The catch was, I was forbidden to get a ticket (which I got in the first 3 months) and I had to get a job to cover the insurance.  


With no backseat, I could fit 16 people in the back and constantly did so.  I took a friends younger siblings to school and took my little brother to school a few times.  When I put the car in 1st or reverse, the drivers seat flew backwards and a few times, I ended up backing into parked cars.  I only hit a few cars (about 5 of them including my stepfathers truck).

Well, it wasn't until my brakes failed and I stripped my emergency brake getting home from across town, that it was decided that my car was not very safe and was sold.  It really was a beautiful car.