Next Time I'll Swerve

Yesterday I travelled back to my hometown for a family funeral. I was a couple of miles from my parents' house, driving down a country road, when I saw what looked like a dead bird in the road. I couldn't tell for sure what it was, but it looked fairly small. I thought I would simply straddle it, and drive right over it. Nope. It made a huge bang and I looked in my rear-view mirror to see it bounce up and tumble down the road. It was a piece of metal or rock or something. Dang! When I got to my folks' place I checked under the car and transmission fluid was pouring out all over the driveway. The thing punched a hole in the transmission pan. D'oh! So I had to call a wrecker to come get it and tow it into town. Mr. Mechanic had to special order the part from Chicago. It won't be ready until Monday. Not only am I out $350 (towing and repair), I have to drive back (270 miles round-trip) and retrieve the car (I'm borrowing Dad's for the weekend -- just like old times). I hope you had a better start to your weekend.