"I promise you this, pal..."

[1194668jc]

It was the final few days of my 7th grade year. Everyone was studying, I being one of the few to study my hardest in the library. Then from out of the blue, my best (and only) friend comes up from behind me with one of his characteristic squeals and a slap on my back. He has what he likes to call a slow brain which gives him a speech impediment and makes it hard for him to learn things in school. I look up and offer him the chair next to me. He seats himself and he pulls out his binder. Out from a folder he pulled out a drawing of the Titanic he drew for me. I was ecstatic about it. It had been 6 years since I first fell in the love with ship, beginning on the 100th anniversary of the ships demise. Then, I noticed something peculiar drawn above the bow. It was a crane lowering a small purple car.
"Since you like T's...T's...uh, Model T's so much, I d-d-drew the one they put on the Titanic," he told me.
Looking up from the drawing, I corrected him, "Actually, it was a Renault, but I can see why people would mistaken it for a T."
Embarrassed, he pulled away the drawing. "Oh, whoops," and he then pulled out a pencil from his pocket and scribbled the car black. "There, n-n-now it's a, uh, it's a...a...Model T."
He and I laughed at a level louder than appropriate for a library and I took the drawing back and thanked him for it, and slid it into my typewriter case (because the briefcase my dad used in the 1960s and gave to me broke).
He and I returned to our work and we continued studying. After a half-hour, he taps my shoulder. "I know that-that you like old stuff and-and-and really want a M-M-Model T, but when you g-g-get one will y-you drive me?"
I turned in my chair and gave my friend an Oliver Hardy look when Stan Laurel gives him a good idea. With as much a transatlantic accent I could give, I said "I promise you this, pal. I says I promise you this. When I get myself that shaking car, you and I is going to school together in it."
He smiled at me and stuck his hand out for me to shake. "Yes sir," he said as I shook it.

Nearly three years have passed. My dear friend would never see the day I drive him to school in a Model T.

One day, I'll get myself enough hard earned money. One day, I'll get myself that flivver. And one day, I'll drive to school in it with my friend, me in the driver seat, and the small portion of his ashes I was given in the passenger seat.

[Wayfarer]

I have the ashes of a dear friend in a metal locket / vial thing inside the handlebars of the Harley I bought from his widow. I think about him every time I climb on.

[Roverdriver]

A fantastic goal, to get your T. and a wonderful story.

[TWrenn]

John, thanks for sharing that wonderful, touching story. Sad that it is, it's good you have memories of the better moments.
May he rest in peace, may you get your flivver soon. God bless young man.

[Chad_Marcheese]

No one can ever replace true friendship. I hope you are able to eventually get a T. Hang around here enough and might happen sooner than you think.

[frontyboy]

My father attended Hershey for many many years, it was his most favorite antique car activity. In the early years he would stay on the grounds to get up early to find the parts and pieces he needed. In later years the Hershey Hotel was his headquarters. When he passed away I thought a perfect place for him to be was the Hershey Fall Meet.

So after cremation, his ashes were spread on the various swap fields. Interesting now those fields are hard covered which makes his final resting place permanent. A rather fitting resting place for a very early and avid brass era antique car collector and restorer.

frontyboy

[RustyFords]

That's some nice prose John.

I enjoyed reading it.

Sorry about your bud...that's rough.

[Duey_C]

Seriously cool John.
When that day comes.