Life with Mother was never ordinary. She had a genuine enthusiasm for life, and a unique flair that expressed itself in every living day. She believed in having fun, and in making a statement.
Even a mundane task such as being dropped off at school would reflect her art of living. Imagine an elementary school in the late 1960's. A line of avocado green and harvest gold station wagons with wood grain siding are lined up to discharge America's youth for a day of learning.
Alongside pulls a midnight blue Camaro SS convertible with a red leatherette interior and white bumblebee stripes. The top is down. The non-matronly driver is my Mother. She is wearing hip-huggers, a white leather belt, and a knit tank top blouse. She has a Marlboro in one hand and her beehive hairdo is lacquered to the point of hurricane preparedness. She has more than a passing resemblance to Cousin Serena. And so begins another day of school.
Fast forward to the mid- seventies. The Camaro has been replaced by a little five-speed Porsche with a removable top. It's a spring day and we are headed into town to pick up a pizza. She's having fun putting the little car though its paces- the strong clutch and racing style gearbox. She's not being reckless, but is holding the gears and driving spiritedly- like putting a thoroughbred horse through its paces.
About a mile from the pizza joint, we spy a police helicopter overhead. "They're not interested in us" she says. We gaze overhead and they do indeed seem to be following us. "Here's where we lose them" she says as she downshifts to second and executes a power turn into the parking lot.
The helicopter lands.
Mom looks a bit white faced at this point. I turn to her and ask, "Can I have the money now?" I begin to wonder if I'll be baking her a cake with a file in it. Now that I think of it, she does look good in stripes.
One of the Officers approaches. "Nice car" he says with a wink, then turns and walks to the door.
They had ordered a pizza too.
8 comments:
I think your mother is my new idol. Seriously. "Here's where we lose them" is more than a little bit fantastic.
But the fact that she bore more than a passing resemblance sealed the deal. I like to think that's exactly how I would have gone through the sixties as a mama.
sigh -- got distracted by my little kindergarten friend (ah, motherhood!)
...resemblance to Cousin Serena...
What a fun mom. You must miss her terribly. Thanks for sharing this memory.
Wonderful story - when you write about your mom the love you felt for each other is almost palpable. Thank you.
I expect I'd have loved having martinis with her..
Loved this one, Jeff! You are such a good writer. I have such a vivid portrait of your mother in my head. What a stylish woman, and a hoot. Like mother like son :)
This is genius. Thanks for sharing.
The Camaro has been replaced by a little five-speed Porsche with a removable top. It's a spring day and we are headed into town to pick up a pizza. She's having fun putting the little car though its paces- the strong clutch and racing style gearbox.
jeff, i love your mother. that is all.
Post a Comment