Somebody Help Me I Have
A Flat Tire
Friday
night’s reunion warm-up dinner was a good time.
I had a bit to drink more than my occasional glass of wine, but unlike
college, few of us ever drink until we throw-up and decide to sleep where ever
we may fall. We are for the most
part responsible adults. I could have
driven back to the hotel, but Mrs. C always drives anyway, and she only drinks
about three times a year and then only one Kahlua and milk. She is already past her three drink a year
limit.
When she
fired up our small South Korean rental which had only 9500 miles, an indicator
came on declaring we had low tire pressure.
“Crap it says our tire pressure is
low.”
“I hate those indicators, most of the
time it is an indicator error. We should
be OK, just keep an eye on your steering.”
“It seems ok.”
And then; “It is pulling a bit to
the left.” And then together, “The car is leaning to the left!”
“Somebody help me, I
have a flat tire!”
Who has a
flat tire anymore, unless you are nursing the last miles out of an old
re-tread? I haven’t changed a tire in 15
years.
We pulled
into a dark parking lot and with the help of my i-phone flashlight I figured
out how to pull the spare “donut” tire out of the trunk, and work the tiny
cheap jack that is provided. Mrs. C
wanted to call AAA, I wanted to get out of this dark parking lot, it was late
and I felt a bit vulnerable to a possible marauding predator…hey, I didn’t know
this area.
“Let me call triple A.”
“I’ve got this.”
“You’ll ruin your good pants.”
“They’ll be fine.” As I was jumping with all my weight
on the tiny lug wrench handle to loosen the nuts.
“You don’t know what you’re doing, it
is too dark.”
“Hand me the donut.”
About the
time I was tightening the lugs on the spare, a dark SUV drove slowly up on us.
“Shit, I hope this isn’t trouble.”
It wasn’t;
Mrs. C had called in the Calvary, and Captain Don, Joe B and wives had come to
help.
We did not
need help, the tire was changed, but it was nice to drive back with help
waiting behind in case the donut was a dud.
I had to
gloat a bit to Mrs. C.
“Thought I couldn’t change a tire did
you? Ha, who is your hero now?”
“Remember when I got your lost rain
jacket back in Alaska?”
“Yeah.”
“Well now we are even.”
Sometimes Mrs. C can be a jerk!
Not really.
Mrs. C is never going to let you forget about that jacket is she ha ha.
ReplyDeleteI hope the rental car company doesn't put you on the DNR list! Like you said, who gets a flat tire these days?
ReplyDeleteoh boy. you kind blew it at the end. LOL
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't know where to start. I always, always called the Cavalry. No need anymore, I just got rid of the car.
ReplyDeleteI sure don't miss the days of having frequent flats. My gal pals thought I was weird for getting so excited over getting the first set of tires that weren't retreads. :) Used to be, we had flats at the most inconvenient time... not that there's ever a convenient one. But I have NEVER had to change a tire myself. (knock on wood) So I'm sure you wife was a grateful for you changing that tire as I always was when my hubby came to the rescue.
ReplyDeleteI'm paranoid about flat tires and that indicator light doesn't help. Mine comes on in the winter all the time, thanks to extreme temp changes here.
ReplyDeleteBwahahahahahahaha. Did you ruin your pants? Just wondering.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day and weekend. ☺
Changing a flat tire is a pain for sure, but fortunately doesn't happen but once in a blue moon. I usually just go to Discount Tire when I suspect a tire is low and let them handle it. And I usually have my "cavalry" with me, if you know what I mean. *wink*
ReplyDeleteMrs. C is NEVER a jerk!!
ReplyDeleteWell done changing the tyre, that's how we spell it out here, which is irrelevant, but the squiggly red line under it annoys me sometimes. I couldn't change a tyre, especially in the dark. I'd be stuck there until the RAA arrived.
ReplyDeleteWay to go. Your tire changing memory muscles are in tact and refeshed. I can do it but anymore I'd call AAA if I got one. They need to earn thier fee and I don't bend like I use to.
ReplyDeleteMany years ago when my husband was In the army I was to meet him in Columbus Georgia my sister in law went with me and on the way we had a flat tire. I didn’t know a thing about changing a tire and thanks that she did. She told me if anybody stops just tell them I think he has it fixed. Lol.
ReplyDeleteIt's probably been more than fifteen years since I've changed a tire.
ReplyDeleteEven though i technically know how to change a tire, if they put the lug nuts on with the air wrench, i am simply not strong enough to loosen them. Congratulations on changing the tire!
ReplyDeleteOf course you are her hero!
ReplyDeletechanging the tire while being drunk could be extra fun i hope :)
Cute story.
ReplyDeleteI've never changed a flat tire. But I do know how to call AAA.
ReplyDelete