Twin City Fine Cars

Craig picked up his new car this morning. Well, he was supposed to pick it up this morning. Wait, let me back up to yesterday.

Craig called Twin City yesterday morning and asked if the car was ready. They said no but can you come get it on Thursday? Craig explained that Thursday didn't really work for us, so how about Friday? Nope, Friday doesn't work for Twin City, Craig MUST pick it up on Thursday. Fine. Oh, by the way, come in to Twin City right now and bring us the balance of the money. Craig says okay. Craig tells me he's heading there to give them the money, I say, "no freaking way until we have the keys and ownership in our hands". Craig calls them back, they say he has to get the car before 10AM on Thursday. (Kinda makes me wonder if there was a big drug deal scheduled for today because they sure were adamant that the car be gone TODAY.)

Moving on...

We re-jig our whole routine this morning so Craig can get to Twin City by 10AM. He arrives at 9:45. Closed. Son, father and mother meander to the lot around 10:05. Sorry, the car isn't here, it's in the next city at our mechanic. Come back after 11:30 and it will be ready. Craig tells them he'll call when he gets home at 11:30 and make arrangements to get the car.

Craig makes the rounds picking Shaun and I up from Shaun's preschool and we drive to Twin City. Time we pull into the lot: 11:36. Car's there. Hallelujah! Craig wants to take it for a drive before handing over the cash. Father drives, son sits in passenger seat, Craig takes back seat. WTF? They return and Craig announces the deal's done. He hands over the money and our insurance information. Mother gets in her car with an armful of paperwork and leaves the lot. (I'd love to say she squealed her tires but...) Craig comes to tell me mother has gone to licensing bureau to get the plates and will return in 10 minutes. We wait, and wait, I nurse Ian in the van, we wait some more, Shaun's starving because it is now 12:09 so I run to McPukes for some dead fries and circular pieces of 'chicken', I return from McPukes, eat my lunch in the van, Shaun spills chocolate milk in the van, Ian poops in his diaper so I change him in the van, mother pulls in. Time now: 12:39.

Time we've been on the lot: 1 hour 3 minutes
Time since we were told we HAD to pick up the car: 2 hours 39 minutes

Moving on...

We leave the lot. Drive home. Craig chokes down his cold McPuke, gulps his watery sugar, and leaves for work.

Phone rings. Time: 1:29. Craig left for work 13 minutes ago. It's a payphone. It's Craig. He was pulling off the highway and lost his front brakes. He's using the E brake but has called work and told them he will not be coming in on time today (ya think?!) so he's heading to Twin City right now. Please be careful and call me as soon as you get there. I call Twin City. Phone rings 6 times, yes, I counted. No I don't want to leave a message so I hang up and call again. First ring it's picked up. Now that's more like it! Craig's on his way in. He has no front brakes. You're kidding?! I wish I was.

Phone rings. Time: 1:52. Craig arrived safely. The bolt that holds the caliper on the disc has snapped. They will replace it and send Craig on his way. I mention that son is not a mechanic. Craig has them bring him, with the car, to the next city to their mechanic to have the whole thing taken care of. He heads to work, I bring the boys to the park.

What did we get from Twin City other than the car and a big fat pain in my ass? A free car detailing.