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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "It's No Use Crying over Spilt Milk" (without using the actual phrase or literal exampl (02/07/08)
Ever so carefully I eased between the posts and the service window, cautiously avoiding contact with my driver side mirror as I pulled into the drive-thru at the bank. I hit my foot on the brakes when I heard a terrible noise. What was that sound? I looked around and didn’t see anything unusual, so I proceeded with my task. Oh no, it’s me!

I shifted into park and opened my door. My legs where shaky at best as I walked around the rear of my truck and viewed the horrendous sight of the passenger side of my vehicle. It was scraped and dented from the front quarter panel almost to the tail light where the post was still in contact with my beautiful ‘Old Blue’ pick-up.

All I could do was back up enough to pull away in shame.

My husband is going to freak out when I tell him what happened.

I blinked my tears away as I drove home, anticipating the reaction I would get from my grievous error.

Immediately I picked up the kitchen phone to call my husband at work. “Honey, you aren’t going to believe what I did today.” I choked on my tears and tried to control my emotions long enough to tell him.

“What happened? Are you okay?”

“Yes. I’m fine, but the truck isn’t.”

“Were you in an accident?”

“I guess you could call it that. I ran the entire passenger side down the post at the bank.”

“What post?”

“The drive-thru post.”

“Weren’t you watching where you were driving?”

“That’s the ridiculous part. I was being so careful. I still can’t believe this. I’m so embarrassed.”

“Well, I’m sorry it happened, too. We’ll have to file a claim with the insurance and get it fixed. And avoid the drive-thru from now on. It’ll be okay. Don’t get yourself all worked up over it.”

“Will it be covered? It was obviously my fault.”

“Yes, we have full coverage. It will be inconvenient for you while it’s in the body shop, but we’ll work it out.”

“Thank you, honey. I feel pretty stupid right now. I really appreciate you handling this so well. I love you.”

“I love you, too. I’m going to get back to work now. See you tonight.”

***

It’s been a year since my little incident. I’m really running late and I’m sure I can do it right this time.

Ever so carefully I eased between the posts and the service window, cautiously avoiding contact with my driver side mirror as I pulled into the drive-thru at the bank. I hit my foot on the brakes when I heard a terrible noise. What was that sound? I looked around and didn’t see anything unusual, so I proceeded with my task. Oh no, it’s me!

I shifted into park and opened my door. My legs where shaky at best as I walked around the rear of my truck and viewed the horrendous sight of the passenger side of my vehicle. It was scraped and dented from the front quarter panel almost to the tail light where the post was still in contact with my beautiful ‘Old Blue’ pick-up.

All I could do was back up enough to pull away in shame.

I can’t believe I did it again. Boy, am I in trouble this time. What will my husband say…?

“You did WHAT? I thought we agreed that you would not use the drive-thru from now on.”

“Yes, but that was a year ago. I thought there was no way I could do the same thing twice.”

“Well, we aren’t going to file another claim for the same thing. You’ll just have to drive it that way…and from now on, park and walk into the bank.”

“Yes, dear. Thank you for being so gracious, again.”

***

And to this day, I have never used the drive-thru again, nor will I.
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This article has been read 958 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Debbie Wistrom
02/15/08
Great real to life stuff here. We had on "old green" and it was heartbreaking when it got dinged up. Great message, and so nice the husband was understanding. Keep up the good words.
Jacquelyn Horne
02/15/08
Oh, my! How awful! Sounds like something I would do.
Joanne Sher 
02/15/08
I love your use of repetition - JUST right for this story. A great example for the topic - and what a husband you've got! ;)
Beth LaBuff 
02/16/08
Oh...ouch! Poor "Old Blue" and poor you. What a cool name for a pickup. Your husband is wonderful for not crying over the spilt milk. :) You've done a great job in writing this story and creating suspense for the reader.
Laury Hubrich 
02/16/08
This is a very good story. I can certainly relate to it. Great job!
Laury
Seema Bagai 
02/17/08
Ouch. Sometimes we have to make more than one mistake to learn. I've scraped my car more than once, so I can relate to this piece. Good work.
Sharlyn Guthrie
02/18/08
I think I'd still be crying! Using the exact words and phrases from the beginning of your story to tell the second episode was very effective.
Lyn Churchyard
02/18/08
Oooh I cringed when I heard the scraping sound. Reminded me of when I took "Max's" front mud guard out on my daughter's rockery. I felt your pain. Well done.
LaNaye Perkins
02/18/08
Ouch,this is one I can relate to on so many levels. I especially loved the way you wrote the repeat of the incident a year later. Well done!
Patty Wysong
02/19/08
The repetition was just right--how many times have I done 'repeats' like that in my own life? Great job!
LauraLee Shaw
02/19/08
sounds like me backing out of my garage. It's either the side of the frame of the rearview mirror, or it's not seeing the big ole bulky garbage can in the alley. You really struck a chord of familiarity with this piece! Great for topic as well.
Jan Ackerson
02/19/08
I smiled all the way through this...very pleasant read, perfect for this week, and very relate-able.
Lynda Schultz 
02/19/08
I love the way you repeated word for word the same description for both accidents. But how awful to have done it twice. I would have died on the spot. Good work.