Harnett-Hargrove

So, + in my conversation remorse + pre-justifing way...

i realize this post is cringingly long for me. i tried to telescope it as much as possible. It’s not about a limo, but a Chevy '72 primer painted tuna boat w/ a 450. The type that when you tap the gas petal the engine nearly leapt out from under the hood.

Along w/ a random picture of a rear end, tho not of a car. i really can make anything fit. 

excepts from -Script from a practicing artist and an unfinished life.

91 While i was in Maine the car i baby-sat had worn out underneath + developed infamous wheel berring problems. They’d have to be changed every few months. Eventually i had to find a new axle. i called around the Boothbay area to find a car parts place who miraculously could accommodate what i needed. i borrowed a truck + carried the cryptic directions inland, where if you miss a turn you’re still making headway for a good half hour before noticing you're lost. Turning the last, i pulled through the derailed fence + up near a listing dilapidated barn. i couldn’t believe to be at the correct address.

Out sauntered a toothless angel in greasy overalls.

He looked up as he rubbed his hands w/ a dirty rag, motioning to me that this was indeed the place. Inside the barn he had a red Chevy sports car jacked up. He had already removed the axle for me.

How much for this side? I asked, Praying that the thirty-five dollars i fingered in my pocket would be enough. It was all i had to my name.

Gotta git fifteen dollars for the right one. That’s fair.

i decided quickly to take advantage of this unbelievable, once in a lifetime offer. i shifted my feet + 
tried to seem casual. Okay, well, i reckon i’ll take both sides, then. 

Less he take me for a fool, i asked him if he had wheel bearings. Amazingly, he had those, too. Packing the axles in the short bed i headed out thanking my lucky stars. i didn’t look back in case he had changed his mind.

i got the bearings pressed on + one axle changed. As i worked on the crippled car parked on the street we became the object of slowing autos + retorting snorts. As these things usually happen, cars would chance by at the blackest moments, just before a giant leap of creative engineering.

That would be the end of the story if I hadn’t taken the back seat out of that tanker of a car, piled in all of my belongings plus the dog + headed west toward the other coast.

92 The springs were shot so the weight lay entirely on the frame. Lucky, i didn’t crash when the rear end blew. i gracefully glided off along the convenient exit ramp, landing in front of a rest stop phone booth. Wasn’t that happy?

A Good Samaritan pulled up behind my disabled car. i had already jacked up the car, had the wheel off + was pulling off the axle. The end had reached a high temperature + in fact the metal looked like a mutilated screw tip that had broken off at the point. (i still wish i had saved that) The guy's jaw dropped in astonishment. He managed to say he was a mechanic, but alas, too bad it’s the middle of the night + the car needs a major part. i confidently threw open the trunk reached deep, pulled out + held up a clean monkey suit while pointing to the spanking axle inside.

If he looked merely astonished before, he was now flabbergasted.
Well, all we need is a good flashlight and we can operate.
Just another major car surgery on the side of the road.

When we are younger solving problems has less to do w/ having courage, + more to do w/ not knowing fear.

After having kids, what feels like courage swings away, giving to a complex backbone.