Way Back When

I like this story. It's good memories.
It's who we are.
We are somehow reminded of it often.
Which is okay because we laugh about it.
I had just come home from being in California for the previous year. Me and Nathan had started dating about 5 months before then. We were still kind of awkward, especially not seeing his face for a year, and seeing how we both have changed.
I thought it might have been a good idea to go downtown for a nice dinner, because me and Nathan hardly EVER go out to eat at nice places. Newport Bay on the Waterfront seemed like a good idea, except neither of us have actually driven there. I printed out directions.

We still couldn't find it.
But I forgot an important detail. I didn't have a car. Natha

n had just bought a new one (no shocker). He was excited about it. A Toyota Supra. 1988. Leather. Badass... Apparently
It had a mind of its own.
It decided to start running like sh*t that night.
The transmission.

We started chuggin' up Burnside, and finally Nathan wanted to turn in somewhere to eat because he had not eaten and was getting mad. So was I.
We turned into the Ringside!The valet guy tried to get us out of the car to park it, and Nathan said, "No way man, that's embarassing cuz this car is not running right now. I just need to park it myself."
Back then, we didn't know you had to make something called a Reservation.
We parked, walked inside, and the lady was sorry that she couldn't seat us on on a Friday night. She said we could sit and wait until something opened, or use the restrooms, or just sit so we didn't have to stand in the cold. She was so nice.

We left.
We continued going up Burnside. We pulled into one of those long, steep driveways, ten-point turned it around and at that moment, I should have shut my mouth.

"I knew you shouldn't have bought this car."
The WORST thing I could have said.
I am so sorry.
I have since learned never to say anything like that until later.
I am doing a pretty good job of it too...uh kinda

But back then, it pissed Nathan off to no other, he punched the horn.
The horn liked it.
It didn't want to stop.
It tooted it's horn all the way back down Burnside.
We pulled into a parking lot, with stores, and everyone ran outside to stare.
At least we were dressed up and lookin' good...
A guy ran up and asked if we needed anything. He went to grab pliers.
No need for those young man, my boyfriend is strong and pissed off.
He threw open that hood and ripped out the thing that connects the horn.
I sat in the car crying.

The nice tow truck man came, shared a story or two, and left. We sat on the curb waiting.
Paula and Chelle came to pick us up.

We got home and went out to Red Robin. It was delicious.