Sooo…
Worked til Noon. Came home. Boy and Gene were gone. They came home after 1. We debated where to eat for lunch, deciding on the fern bar across the street from the house. We considered Steak n’ Shake, but I decided it was too far away to drive (about 25 minutes – it’s where we had my bachelorette party, the second half of it). We leave the fern bar and decided to go to the bakery for croissants and desserty type things. (The fern bar has crap desserts).
For some reason, Gene wants to just drive around before going to the bakery, so we turn right onto the main road (Hwy 73). About a quarter mile from where 73 intersects with Catawba Ave, there is a place to turn into. A woman was in the middle (turning) lane – we think – and hit us. We were in the new car (yes, the NEW CAR) and she was in a Camry (1998, I think, based on the police report). Gene tried to swerve but she was too quick and she hit us in the front and front left quarter panel.
DID I MENTION WE WERE IN THE NEW CAR??? THE 2005 NEW FUCKING PRIDE OF THE FAMILY CAR????
A gentleman came from somewhere and called the cops for us. The three of us were in the car for a minute after impact – the two front airbags deployed. It’s true about airbags – when they deploy, it’s instantaneous. Does your car have airbags? If not, force your car off a cliff and buy a new one. Right now.
Anyway, we’re in the car and I thought I smelled smoke. Gene and the boy were saying something and all I can think is, is the car on fire? So they’re getting out of the car and I get out too. The boy and I move away from the car and Gene talks with the cops or the EMT or something. Gene hands me his cell phone and his Progressive card and tells me to finish calling. The Blackberry has tiny little buttons and for a minute I just want to tell him that I can’t handle it and he’ll have to, but then I realize that he says he’s injured so it’s on me. I know that it’s minor but I just didn’t think I could handle it.
I talked to the rep at Progressive and they’re very helpful and calming. If you can’t have State Farm, Progressive is a good second choice. (We can’t have State Farm). Cops and EMTs and who the hell knows keep coming up to the boy and I and asking if we’re OK. I tell them I’m fine but the boy has some bruises (from seatbelt?). I thought perhaps Gene would have to go to the ER but so far he hasn’t had to. Eventually, the wreckers come for her car and our car – did I mention that the car was OUR NEW CAR? The one with 13,000 MILES ON IT??? RRRRGH. Then the cops took us home.
The amazing thing about a front end collision was getting to see inside the car’s crumple zone (car nerds, I apologize if I’m confusing terms). This is – WAS – one amazing car. It reacted perfectly for the type of collision we were in. The seatbelts tighted – ouch, underwire burn – and the airbags were perfect. Good work, Infiniti. The dealership we bought OUR CAR (&*$%#@) from had a few cars parked for looky-loos outside the fern bar we ate at today. I looked at this – it’s Gene’s choice for a car for me when the Connie goes tires up (which may be pretty soon after this) but I said that it was too much money and maybe we’d just get the Nissan version for about $10k less. I’m comparing them both on Infiniti.com but I just don’t know.
Anyway, the car has taken residence at a collision center next door to the car dealership. I don’t know what’s next but I will probably post at length when I do, simply to write it all down so I don’t forget if it comes up. It is very important to us that our car (The ‘Fini) is declared a total loss. We do not want it to be repaired because it will never, ever be the same again.
Bright sides…
1) We were going to have the car detailed later this month.
2) Maybe we can get Gene the Infiniti M35?
3) We. Are. Alive.
4) Dogs weren’t with us (but I’m going to figure out a way to buckle them in the car when I take them places).
5) It happened less than a mile from home and not en route to or from OH or Atlanta or The Boy’s Evil Mother’s house.
6) Bakery foods have too many calories anyway.
oh GOSH! I’m glad you are all okay! That REALLY sucks about the car. I had my pride and joy almost new Neon stolen and totalled three years ago. It was heartbreaking to see it after. I took such good care of it. 🙁 But again, you are all okay and that’s what matters! I love your new car choice! VERY cute!