SEPERATE VACATIONS
- by Therm L'Eye


"Pull over" she said, 10 miles south of Gorman. "We need to talk."

She was like that sometimes, my Motorhome. We'd been together for just a little over a year, and had been together almost constantly. We'd done of lot of travelling together, and mostly it had gone well; lately, however, she seemed to be under more strain than usual. I'd tried lots of things to make it better: new fuel pump and filter, new air filter, nothing seemed to make much of a difference. Finally, it seemed things had come to a head.

"C'mon baby, do we have to do this _right_ now?" I asked. "Can't this at least wait until we get to the offramp?"

"No, this can NOT wait. Pull over right now!"

What else could I do? I pulled over to the side of the freeway.

"Look, I know this trip to Sequoia means a lot to you" she started, "but I'm afraid I'm just not feeling up to it right now."

"No, you are NOT going to do this to me right now. Look, let's just get through the weekend, then when we get back I promise you we'll spend some quality time together, and I'll work things out, ok?"

She was having none of it. "I'm sorry, but I'm not going _anywhere_ right now. Look," she continued, "I appreciate all you've done for me lately, I really do, but it's just not what I've needed. I don't know, I suppose it's probably me, but I just don't seem to have the same get-up-and-go. I'm lacking the drive I once had. It goes deeper than that though. Even when I'm idle, something seems to be...missing."

"Is this about your birthday? Lots of vehicles get depressed when their odometer turns over, but mileage it just a number! I know I promised you I'd change your plugs before we headed out, but I thought we agreed that it'd be better to beat traffic and change them once we got there."

"WE agreed? No, YOU agreed it'd be better. I don't remember MY opinion being sought at all."

"Hey, I _tried_ to change them, but _you_ were the one who had to go and be difficult about it. I mean Jesus...can't you just have your plugs acessible from under the hood like everyone else? No, you have to go and be all special. God, you Astro Vans are all alike!"

"Don't you dare start with me!"

"Tell you what; I WON'T start if you WILL, ok?" I tried, but it was futile. I just couldn't get her to turn over to my way of thinking.

"Listen, I'm not going to Sequoia this weekend, and that's _final_, do you hear me?"

That was it. I was stuck, and I knew it.

"Alright then, what do we do now?" I asked. "I'm can't just abandon you by the side of the freeway."

"I think you'd better call someone to come pick me up."

While we waited for her ride, we spoke little. Eventually I broke the silence.

"I think maybe we should spend this weekend apart. You clearly need to work some things out, and I hate to say it, but I really don't have time for it right now. Hell, I doubt I could figure out what's going on right now with you even if I tried. I just know that a weekend in Frazier Park is not what I had in mind right now. I think I'll call someone to pick me up too."

"Fine" she said. "If you don't understand me, maybe I'll just have to find someone who does!"

"Whatever" I sighed. I just didn't see the point in arguing any more. "I hope you and your grease-monkey have a wonderful weekend together, I honestly do. See you Sunday."

In the long run, it all worked ok, though. Seems like that weekend away was just what she needed (well, that and a new coil). I met up with her Sunday evening, and she seemed better that she had in months. Far more "pep", and she didn't get worn out on hills anymore. I also found out about some more of her issues that I'd been clueless about. She'snot quite her old self, but with a bit more time and attention, I think things are going to work out just fine.


I guess sometimes we all just need some time apart.

 

 

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