It's gonna BLOW!!

This post is dedicated to the one and only Ashley who is pretty much the only person in my life who finds me really funny! We spent countless hours in my office talking, laughing and dancing and this one is of her favorite stories of mine...the car...not what happened before. 

It all started as I was speaking as the student speaker at Corps Graduation for City Year. My mom was too sick to fly down so my father came to hear me speak and my older sister stayed with my mother. Following graduation and tears from my father as his shy baby girl had grown into a confident young woman. We headed off with the corps to a local bar to celebrate. My older sister called to tell us our mother had stopped breathing and was now in the hospital. We rushed my dad to the airport to fly home while my twin sister and I packed up our home in South Carolina. We packed all night and left early the next morning to move back up north to be with our mother who was breathing on her own again though still in the hospital. 

We packed up both our cars completely to where there was absolutely no space and gave the rest of our furniture to a man downstairs who was very drunk at a party. I was the lead car and we were driving from Columbia, SC to Boston. 

Shortly after we entered Maryland, I heard a very loud pop and my engine started to stall. So I pulled over to the side of the road with Susan parking her car right behind mine. I pop the hood and as I lift the hood of my car...all I see is flames. 

I drop the hood so hard it slams shut and take off running as fast as I can. 

Susan, standing in shock screams, "Patty...what the hell are you doing?" 

As I run away...leaving my poor sister in the dust...I yell "It's GONNA BLOW!!!! Run!!! RUN!!!!" 

Susan stands there stuttering and wondering whether she should move her car since it's right behind mine and I keep yelling "there isn't any time!! RUN!!" 

We get a safe distance away and call 911 and they respond within minutes. A fire truck with firemen completely decked out in their gear come running and we open the hood to...

Nothing. There was nothing there. Apparently when I threw the hood down, the fire went out immediately. 

The firemen sighed and shook their head at the crazy young woman in front of them who so clearly wasted their time. They called a tow truck for us and just as quickly as they arrived, they took off. 

So we found a rental car place, got a new car, re-packed and moved our entire life at the time and continued on our way to go see our mama. Just a note...I may be a touch on the dramatic side. 

Rest in Peace dear Saturn. You were a very good car.