Car Craziness

So my van wouldn't start for 20 minutes when I was supposed to leave for school- no turning over, nothing, just not starting. My dad has been working on it all weekend and charged the battery today, it shouldn't be dead. We call him on his way to work. Looks like the only chance is to push the van to be even with Mom's van. 


My mom and I go out to the driveway and start to push it but it doesn't budge. "Okay," I say, "we have to do this together. One, two, three." We push and it rolls. Called Dad back for instructions on how to jump it. "Well be sure you're completely dry." I look up at the downpour all around me, rain from my hood cascading onto my nose, and the down into the inch deep puddle coating our driveway and the stream taking over the yard. "I don't think that's going to work well, Dad." "Well get a towel and try to dry your hands as best you can." I duck back inside, grabbing the nearby dog towel and try to dry my hands but as soon as I move the water from my sleeves applies another generous coating to them. As I lean over the battery, drops bounce from my hood and onto the battery so Mom holds the towel from the hood of the car to over my head. I obsessively dry and redry my hands. 


"This is the dangerous part," comes Dad's staticy voice over the phone. "Only touch the insulated handle." After much cajoling, the clamps decide to remain on the temperamental metal. "Now start your van." The vans are parked too close together so I slide into my passenger side and reach the key over to the ignition, but it won't turn. I slide to the drivers seat and try again but with no better luck. "What do I do if the key won't turn in the ignition?" I ask. Dad immediately responds, "Is it the right key?" I look at the incorrect engraved symbol and reach into my pocket for the appropriate one. The van starts right up.


My mom thinks that the alternator is draining the battery but tells me if I just keep it running, I should hopefully be okay. She adds that I might lose my headlights partway there and if I do I'll have to pull over and get it towed.


Picked up Cora with no problem. Two hours to go in our trip and the battery light comes on. Keep hoping it will get there okay, check headlights on passing cars bumpers to make sure they're still on. 


Drive into Cedarville and almost park in a handicap space but remember the last time the police officer yelled at me for doing so. "It's okay," Cora says. "We don't have that much stuff, we can carry it." We drive around back instead and go to back into a space and Cora says, "Wouldn't it be funny if your power quit now?" Boom. Nothing. I quick stepped on the brake before we rolled down hill and turned to her saying, "You mean like that?" So with the help of a passerby we pushed the van the rest of the way into the space. It's a little crooked, but hey! :) We made it! :)