The Blue Van

I used to transport people to and fro. It was pretty dull. One day, a family of five visited me. They test-drove me, and immediately took me. I was elated. Now life was finally going to get interesting. They have kids!

I was immediately packed with multitudes of belongings. So packed that I thought I was going to throw up. The 'Ummi' said,

"It looks like a can of sardine."

I felt like one.

They drove me all the way south, through the Appalachian mountain range, all the way to Georgia. The three kids gave me an interesting life. two of them played scratching games all the way to Georgia that the boy developed a dimple on one cheek. There we lived for about a year. 'Ummi' drove me a lot, mostly we went to the library and Jo Ann.

On the way to the mall one Sunday, my right tire blew with a very loud pop. We veered off the highway. I fought hard to stay upright so they won't get hurt.

Then, they packed me up again, but this time, the boy didn't ride in me. Instead, he rode with 'Abi' in the U Haul truck while the girls and 'Ummi' rode in me. We went back north, through the Appalachian mountain range again. 'Ummi' wasn't too happy driving all the way up the mountain. I could sense her nervousness in the way she stepped on the accelerator.

I could hear S saying,

"Falling rock, Ummi?" as she saw the signs along the way up the mountain.

"Yes," said 'Ummi' , and I could sense her shuddering.

We reached Ohio and here we stayed for quite a while. They used me relentlessly. One winter, they brought me to the east coast. I was really tired, that one of my tire blew while they were on their way to a friend's house at night. Poor them, they didn't have a cell phone and while 'Abi' changed the tire in the dark and sleet, the rest of them stood outside and got drenched. On the way back to Ohio, I tried my hardest to keep from falling apart. My parts were clanking. I'm sure they were scared I would break down on the way home. I didn't disappoint them. They arrived home safely.

Sadly, I have grown too old for them. I keep hearing the kids saying,

"We need a new van!"

The back door was broken, and could only be opened from the outside, and only 'Abi, S and H could open it. My body parts grew worse in the clanking department, and I was even emitting a burning smell. I often heard 'Abi' and 'Ummi' discussing my condition. Worry was the utmost in their voices.

One day, they drove me to the northen part of town to see another van. They liked it, and 'Ummi' drove us home. 'Abi' drove the other van home. Ahh....it's only a matter of time then, before my fate was sealed.

"The junk yard was willing to pay 300," said 'Abi'.

I heard them discussing selling me. 'Abi' took pictures of me. I stood as proudly as I could. I had served this family well, except for the two incidents of the blown tires.

Then a man came to look me over, and he made up his mind right then and there. He wanted me. I felt sorrow seeping inside my body parts, clank and all. This was it. I was going home with this burly man. He looked nice, but I rather preferred the family.

Today, I had the chance to visit my family again. As I sat there parked in front of their apartment, with a long ladder on my back, I looked up and spied four faces looking out the window. If only they knew how happy I was to see them again, and if only I could wave and let them know how much I miss them. I could hear H's loud excited chatter. I heard something like,

"ah! he changed it! the windshield! and there's a curtain in the back window!"

I could feel love in his voice. They still love me!

As my new owner drove me away, I took one last look at the family I have been serving for 6 years, and tried to stifle back my tears. I will miss Baby Z's wails, N's non-chalant manner, S and H's quarrel. I will miss them all.