My real car!

I was handed keys. I asked what do I do with these?

Let me back up. My car is in the body shop. A while back a deer ran into my door. (The deer wasn’t hurt as it sprinted off.) The damage was minimal, so I didn’t rush to get it repaired. Even small dings are costly. I thought I could ignore it or remove the dents myself, but the side panel pushed the bumper cover slightly out of alignment. I didn’t notice it, but something was stressing. With the extreme weather we had, it cracked. Now I had to get it repaired.

I hate driving rentals. Stuff isn’t in the same place. I have to search for things like gas cap releases and refigure gears. I need the garage door gizmo with me because I can’t program the car. My car had bells and whistles like automatic lights and windshield wipers and butt heaters that I really like. I use the butt heater from October until April.

I’m cheap when it comes to insurance. My plan is only for an economy rental. So…no butt heaters or bells and whistles. I could upgrade but for how much driving I do, it doesn’t make economic sense.

When the rental person met me, he gave me keys. Real keys. I looked at them with curiosity. What do I do with these? He said they start the car (wondering what kind of an idiot they were renting to). Vaguely I remember keys. It’s been decades since I had real keys for my ignition and door locks.

We did all the paperwork, and he left me alone to figure it all out. I adjusted the seat, mirrors and put the key in the ignition. Now what? There was no start button. Oh yes, you turn the key to start. That worked.

Keys have a whole new set of processes. You need them in your hand when you go to the car. My car reacts to the fob in my purse. I don’t need to take it out to lock or unlock. I touch my handle and it opens like magic. Same with locking. I press a start button all the while my fob never leaves its safe place in my purse. It doesn’t get lost like keys do.

I have to remember the keys. I need to place them somewhere I’ll find them. I need them to unlock the door even if it’s raining. The car is useless without the keys.

As for the car itself, it’s a basic sedan. I drive a small SUV. I need to take the elevator to the basement to crawl in the rental. It’s very low to the ground. I need a crane to get out. I wondered if old people were driving sedans. Not likely.

I’m scheduled to pick up my car tomorrow. I will cherish it and shower it with love. I’ll crank up the butt heater. The AC will be perfect without any intervention. It knows how I like it. (I never figured out how to adjust the HVAC without constant fidgeting.) Best of all, it’s red so I’ll be able to find it. No more looking at a sea of gray cars to figure out which one is mine. Peace will return.

BTW never believe how long the body shop says it takes to repair. Multiply any number by 2 and you will be close. My first pick-up date was Saturday but stuff happens so it’s tomorrow (Wednesday). Fingers crossed!