1 of 11

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

alcoholicone quart after another. He wasn't just a social drinker, who had an occasional drink with his buddies, he had a major addiction. As I look back, I realize I was an enabler. I fed the beast its oila quart about every hundred miles. I was afraid to refuse Bullet, knowing that if I did, he'd exact his revenge. So I bought oil by the case, not the quart, and kept it in the back of the car.

I still owned Bullet when I had my first real, adult job. He was my commuter the fifty miles each way to work. Every morning, I'd add a quart of oil before leaving home. One day, I realized I'd left the oil cap at a gas station. Not wanting to leave the hole uncovered until I could purchase a new one, I plugged the hole with a rag. That hot, afternoon, as I was driving home, singing along to my cassette tape of Billy Joel, Bullet seemed slugglish and tired. He began to cough and sputter. I guided him to the side of the freeway, barely making it onto the shoulder before he rattled, sighed, and took his last breath.

I got out and lifted the hood, hoping I could figure out what was wrong. Shoot, I thought, as I realized the rag was missing. It must have fallen out. A kind lady pulled over and offered to drive me to a phone. I called a tow truck and had Bullet pulled to a shop, where I explained what had happened. Al, the mechanic, shook his head as I told my sad story, then grabbed some long-nosed pliers and began pulling out pieces of rag from inside the hole.

Al tore the engine apart and found bits of rag in every part. I had killed Bullet. I had smothered him with the rag. He was gone. The shell of my car sat in my driveway for several weeks while I came to terms with his death.

Bullet is now buried with those of his kind in a junkyard about twelve miles from my home. I often drive by that junkyard and wonder how big those rusted-out holes are now. In spite of his difficult personality and bad habits, I think of him fondly and am fairly sure there will never be another Bullet.

Learn more about this author, Karey White.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Reflections: Dealing with a car that's a lemon?
We want to hear your view. Write now!