The loss of your first car hits hard for some, especially when remembering the giddy feeling of finally being able to afford something to call your own.
I bought my first car five years ago, after I transferred home from the University of Tampa. With only $5,000 left to my name — because most of my money was spent on tacos and Uber-ing to the beach — I bought the only car I could afford: a 2012 Jeep Patriot, which was not only manual transmission (five-speed, stick shift), but had old-fashioned, roll-down windows and was not electric in any way.
My beloved Jeep, Janice, gave me five good years before she was declared totaled this past Thursday morning, after getting hit while parked on Franklin Street in Lynn.
Monday was my best friend’s birthday so, after dinner, she and I decided to grab a drink at our favorite local spot, Tony’s Pub and Grill.
As we took our first sip of our (delicious) chocolate martinis and toasted to her 23rd year of life, the bartender announced that she just received a call that a Black Jeep Cherokee had been hit outside of the bar.
Having a Jeep Patriot, I merely said “damn, that sucks,” as I took another sip of my drink … only to find out that it was, in fact, a Jeep Patriot — MY Jeep Patriot — that was involved in a hit and run.
The damage included a popped back tire, a completely smashed driver’s-side door and mirror, the front bumper coming almost completely detached and random pieces I had never even seen before scattered around the street.
With it being my friend’s birthday, I decided to try not to dwell on things I couldn’t control, so I kept faith, hoping that somehow I would luck out and the repairs wouldn’t cost too much.
I was wrong.
After my dad and his car guru friend assessed the damage and assisted my unprepared self by calling for a tow, I received the dreaded call from my insurance agent a couple days later informing me that Janice could not be resuscitated.
I felt that awkward, semi-sad feeling that I’ve since discovered others had felt when losing their first car.
When I told my mother that Janice was a goner, she recalled the day she had to get rid of her first car — a 1976 yellow Ford Mustang that she bought for $750 — after the constant repairs left her no other choice. She said she remembered crying — which, if you know my mother, never happens.
“When the tow truck backed into my driveway on Atkins Avenue to take my Mustang away, I cried,” my mom told me. “It got all of my girlfriends and me to Salem State every day for all four years, even though it barely started every morning and I whispered ‘please start, please start,’ every time before I got into it.”
Even though the car was a terrible investment, she said she loved it and that it was extra special because it was her first.
Reflecting on my own travels to Salem State for my three years there with Janice, and all of my trips to and from New Hampshire, Tony’s Pub, downtown Salem, beach drives, ice-cream runs and much more, I even teared up a bit.
To add to the sadness of accepting the loss of Janice, I have still not found the negligent human who killed her.
According to cameras from the surrounding businesses, the culprit is a 2001-2006 burgundy-colored Acura MDX, possibly with a front flat tire and broken axle.
If the owner of this car is out there and reading this, there are no hard feelings, but please clear your conscience, be responsible and send me an email.
Have a great weekend everyone; I hope your car doesn’t get totaled.