The Tale of the Missing Automobile or More Adventures with Grandpa

To you grandchildren, lest you think your grandpa a complete no-mind, just remember, ADD is hereditary.

This story begins when your grandpa, then a student at the university, drove his car to work one day. He worked at a book store, one of his favorite places to hang out. He had many important things on his mind that day which explains why, when the work day was over, he walked home, only a few blocks away, forgetting completely that he had driven to work. This is very understandable, as the student often walked to work and classes. His apartment was right downtown, close to all the important places and events. And as I explained, he had many things on his mind. He was a busy guy, both with social activities and in his vibrant thought-life. (The thought-life of a philosophy major with an undiagnosed case of ADD is, I am very sure, interesting, perhaps beyond belief.)

The next day, caught up in his many thoughts, he walked past his car without noticing and arrived at work, breathless from his brisk morning walk. He had a busy day, with deadlines to meet, people to talk to, thoughts to think, and he again walked past the lonely car which now had a few parking tickets on the windshield. This neglect of his car ( affectionately known as Bee-Bop, from the song, "Bee-Bop-a Lula She's My Baby" , which your Grandpa can sing, by the way) continued for three days. Poor Bee-Bop was plastered with parking tickets when the student finally began to miss her.

On the third day, Bee-Bop was resurrected in the philosopher's mind. He went to get his car for a trip across town. It was gone! What had happened to his car? He thought and thought, but he could not remember when he had last seen his car! Deciding that perhaps his landlords, The Knights of Pythias, might have towed it away, he called them. They had not seen his car so he called the police, who assured him that a 1966 Pymouth Belvedere was not the kind of car that thieves try to steal! Trying not to panic, he finally called his sister. "I think my car has been stolen." he stated.

"Who would steal that thing?" she asked.

"I don't know, but it's gone. I haven't seen it for days!" he said, beginning to panic.

"Ok, let's call all the towing businesses in town. Maybe it got towed away." she suggested. After many unfruitful phone calls, they gave up. The young student was perplexed and bewildered.

"Calm down and let's try to retrace your steps for the last few days." she said soothingly.

Together they went through his week and finally he remembered driving to work and parking his car. He rushed to the spot that he remembered and there was Bee-Bop inundated with parking tickets( 12 to be exact ). As far as I know, Grandpa has never again forgotten his car and Bee-Bop now resides in a certain old, wooden garage way out in the country. She is rather neglected but no longer lonely, for the pack rats keep her company!

Grandma
(for Skid)