ode to AAA

The first time I had a flat tire was the summer after my junior year of college. I'd had my 2005 Mazda Tribute only a number of weeks and was driving back to Charlotte with my friend, A. It blew, right in the middle of the interstate, and I pulled over at the closest exit, struggling to keep hold of the steering wheel. We bought snacks from the vending machine while waiting for AAA.

A few month later, I was driving up Airport Road to Harris Teeter, the nice one by the interstate where I purchased champagne at midnight to celebrate my 21st birthday. I felt a sudden grinding in my car... a noise, a feeling, something was wrong... I pulled over at a gas station, probably the sketchiest one in Chapel Hill. Filled the tank while waiting. Drove on my donut until the next day.

I've been to random tire stores on the side of the road, AAA recommended, of course. I've purchased two complete sets of tires since I've gotten the car. And while it still see,s new to me, I forget that it's 2011 and I didn't just get my car yesterday. I remember the day, a few months after driving my new car to my first apartment, when my family surprised me by putting my GO ZAGS plate on my car. I kept that plate in Washington, thankful simply for the ability knowing that plate was already taken by someone in The Evergreen State and had a new one made in Alabama, Home Sweet Home. Though those plates may have been superfluous, after moving to Oklahoma, I realized what it was like to not have your plates memorized.

I had another flat today, a nail in my year old tires, my car protected by the gates to the concrete jungle where dreams in Norman are made of... the ZagMobile slowing sinking to the right and to the back as air escaped my tire. I've called AAA for myself a number of times, for friends, almost just a many (Hello there, Marco Pollo!). And I was able to wait in the office while AAA made it's way to my assistance. 

Thanks, Dad, for giving AAA cards (valued customer cards) to your two Southern daughters... life wouldn't be quite as easy without them.