Wednesday, November 23
Reggie and I arrive at Carl’s Auto Repair bright and early for the brake job on the Perfect Tow Vehicle.
“Today is a big test for you, Reg. I never had to worry about taking Spike or Bridget into a waiting room. I expect you’ll be a good boy . . . . ”
We go inside the office to let the woman at the desk know that we are here. From what I overheard in the office yesterday, she is the wife of Carl.
I ask her if she knows whether the brake system needs to be flushed.
“Oh, no, it doesn’t need it. We gave your van a 100-point inspection. The brake fluid is clear.”
“What is a 100-point inspection?” I ask. “Is there a list on the internet I could see? I’m just curious to know.”
“Well, there’s the standard 45-point inspection that you could find. We call ours the 100-point inspection because we check every nut and bolt.”
I hand her my purse again to keep behind the counter and Reg and I go for a walk.
It’s going to be a long wait for the brakes.
We stroll along for a couple of miles, zig-zagging through neighborhoods landscaped with palms, yuccas, and oleander bushes. I’m motivated to extend our walk in an effort to postpone being subjected to the television in the waiting room.
Surely Reggie will fall asleep in my arms after all this walking . . . .
Not so!
Two red-haired boys (the owners’ grandchildren are here for the morning) quickly become best buddies with Reggie, much to his delight and theirs. The boys roll on the floor giggling in mock protest as Reggie attacks, climbing all over them, licking their necks and faces.
A customer, a really big man, arrives, sits down, and Reggie dances over to him. Soon Reggie is in the man’s lap receiving head scratches and body rubs. The customer leaves; Reggie plays with the boys. Rinse and repeat. All morning long.
No one watches television when the Reggie Man is around!
Eventually the little guy shows signs of fatigue. The boys have left. Time slows.
As you can see in the next photo, Reggie gives me that sad look that says, “I wanna’ get in my bed and take a nap. Now.”
The bill for the brakes matches the estimate.
Yay! (See previous post for details.)
When Carl returns from taking the PTV on a test drive, I pop Reggie inside and we head straight for McDonald’s.
I have a lunch available at home, but I can’t wait that long! Breakfast was at six and it’s afternoon now. We eat our lunch at the park around the corner, and then we zip over to the library where I exchange DVDs for new ones.
After that, we return to Carl’s Auto Repair for propane. I was too hungry earlier to wait for a tank to be filled!
On the way out of town, we pass Lin’s Grocery.
The store will be open in the morning. I’ll buy something for Thanksgiving dinner then. Treat myself to apple pie . . . . Gee, everything is working out fine for us . . . . It’s another beautiful day . . .
I glance down at Reggie curled up in his bed next to me as I drive through the badlands toward Poverty Flats.
Aww, Reg is asleep. “You passed the test, sweetheart. You’re such a good boy.”
Thursday, November 24
“Happy Thanksgiving from Reggie and me!”
rvsue
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