As I purchased my first vehicle, I wondered how much time we would spend together. Much to my dismay, we parted ways too soon. Being a very careful methodical person , purchasing this vehicle was a very slow and tedious process. I spent 2 years sharing a vehicle with my father, and I was sick of it. After years of saving I finally had enough money to purchase a decent car. She was an automatic Ford Escort zx2 hot coupe with a shiny green exterior and a very sleek sports car frame. Inside was a conical body around the dashboard, beige soft seats, and a cup holder set comfortably at arm level for easy use. I should have known it was all too good to be true.
Two weeks had gone by since I bought my car and I was enjoying the freedom. I agreed to pick up my friends for a video game tournament in New Jersey. After a long weekend, we were all eager to return to our homes in Connecticut. Bernard's college dorm was the closest so I decided to drop him off first. Driving through the mid summer night I was oblivious to what was in store for me. A gentle shower decreased my visibility. The street lights were dim and foreboding as I passed beneath them. The music was blaring. Bernard was doing an absurd dance in the passenger seat. Demetri was in the back seat, laughing at Bernard's bizarre arm flailing. My face was lit green by the dashboard light. The speedometer read "40 mph" as I revved up the hill. After the peak of the hill I spotted a large black figure barely lit by the light... and it wasn't stopping. A hint of panic penetrated the jolly atmosphere. At this point I could only react. I stomped on the brakes abruptly, and jerked the steering wheel left as much as I possibly could. The black figure was another vehicle. I desperately tried not to get hit. Profanities rang out. I heard a thundering smash on the right side of my car.
I pulled to the side of the road. Frantically I flicked the light switch to see if everyone was alright. Everyone seemed fine. With the utmost haste we exited the vehicle and stood on the curb. Reluctantly I peered at the right side of my car. The entire bottom of the passenger side door looked like aluminum foil that's been discarded after lunch time. The front right side of the vehicle's headlight was protruding like a creature's eye out of a sci fi thriller. "This car is totaled" I said to myself . I was in shock, but as soon as I saw my friends standing there unharmed I felt a sigh of relief. The other driver also emerged unscathed from the accident. The grill of her car was completley obliterated into what looked like a two headed mutant frog. She begged me not to call the police. I could smell vodka on her breath. I called 911. Later I found out the driver of the other vehicle was arrested for DUI and now owes a 10,000 dollar fine.
I learned, that night, that anything you work for can be lost in an instant. Also, I learned that friends and family, unlike my car are irreplaceable. This incident shows that life presents many obstacles, that we should take it in stride and be grateful for what we still have.
