My paycheck stubs were all pasted on my bulletin board, framed like I had won tons of Emmy awards. Each one had a little girl's hope wrapped in its numbers. They all had rips on the edges, scars from my anxious fingers. After two years of bagging tons of milk jugs, produce, and Jimmy Dean dinners, I finally had enough to pay for my beautiful '95 Tacoma. Its windows rolled up diagonally, jarring itself between the top and sides. The headlights had to be kicked in after every downhill cruise and the hood was slightly dented after a trash can barreled through the front. But, this beauty was mine. It's lopsided grill looked like it was flashing a stupid grin, smiling at me the best it could. The fumes that spewed out were illegal in all fifty states, drowning the interstate with its smoky footprints. After I handed its previous owner my wad of cash I jumped in the seat, hearing the vinyl squeak as dust flew to the dashboard. I started the motor and threw my license in the glovebox. I had something that moved from one place to another. I had something that would get me to the movies without so much as a hint of bumming from a friend. I had hopes...dreams. I had wheels.

As I stopped in my driveway, the brakes sent out a frequency that sent all the dogs howling. My parents stepped out of the garage shaking their heads with a cocky grin painted on their faces. "You actually did it. I can't believe you. A few more weeks and you could've had a car that is in one piece." My dad lifted the hood and looked down at the jigsaw of wires and blocks. After a few minutes he slammed it down like he was trying to punish my poor truck for getting itself rusty. I stuck my tongue out at him as he walked by. No one was going to judge my baby, it was all mine. I thought out all the accessories I was going to have in the interior. I could have the cute little mirror ornaments and a mickey mouse floor mat. My steering wheels might have a frog on it or something...something fantastic. I could just picture it.

I wanted to take it out right then and there. I wanted to drive twenty miles to pick up some Twinkies...anything to see how great my beauty clung to the curves. I told my parents I was off and asked if they wanted me to pick anything up (those words sounded so sweet against my lips) and they tole me no. I started the truck and after a raspy cough from the engine I put it in reverse.

The streets embraced my truck with warmth, letting the truck

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