Maiden Voyage Part 1: driving with dignity
michael
It was a dark and stormy Christmas Eve. Unseasonably warm rain misted us relentlessly, as it had for two straight weeks. Thick fog crept up the riverbank to cover the road, as I lowered Matilda into gear. Douglas was already deep in his headphones, so I had Fynn climb in front to relay shouted instructions from Bethany, standing guard at the rear of the trailer. I was skeptical we'd escape without getting wedged in the trees, or going over the bank into the river, but we pulled out, smooth as you please, in one easy shot.
Bethany climbed in, and we let out a collective cheer, which turned quickly from "Yay!" into "Car!" Someone approached from behind, and we thought it best to let them pass before continuing. The car pulled up alongside, and stopped, and we realized it was Mark, the neighbor who'd be keeping an eye on the house we were leaving. We piled back out of the truck, excited that someone else could share in our first moment of triumph. "Your tail lights are out!" Mark said. "What?! No!" we said. We went to the rear. The lights were all on. Our immediate decision was to ignore this hiccup, and continue.
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