That's trouble with a capital'T' that rhymes with:

I hate car trouble. That's why I bought a new one in July - so I wouldn't have to deal with it.

I came home early from my son's house yesterday - so excited! It was still light when I got home. Had a great visit with the grand boys - #4 had his very first birthday! I stopped on the way home and started my Christmas shopping for my Colorado grand daughters - and was all set to walk the dog and wrap the presents! But, when I pulled into my parking lot- there was a lady there about 4 spaces down with the hood of her SUV up. Now, I looked under my hood occasionally on my old car, so no alarms went off- might be a 'fluid top off' - but, when I got out of my car, the lady says to me: "Do you know anything about cars?" I replied "I can drive them to the mechanic's and the gas station, but, that's my limit."

Car lady: "O.K. Will you listen to this and tell me what is wrong please?"

Me: (??????????????)

Car Lady "Hear that? that noise wasn't there before."

Me: "O.K."

Car Lady: "And it smokes."

Me: - Sticking my foot firmly in to it. "Well, that's not good. I'm pretty sure that's not supposed to happen."

Car Lady: "Well, I washed it down. Maybe I wasn't supposed to do that?"

Me: "Wash the car?" (Now, I have owned my car since July 11 - and I have NEVER washed it, but, I'm fairly sure this is unusual)

Car Lady: "I washed the engine down. Do you think that was bad?"

Me: (Finally getting my wits about me - and knowing that yes, that can be a very bad thing - to various engine pieces parts - unless she had it steamed cleaned professionally) - said "I don't know."

There were extremely long pauses between each exchange, where the Car Lady just stood there very pleasantly staring at me. And the light was fading fast. So.................

Me: "Do you have anyone to call? Do you have AAA?"

Car Lady: "Yes, I have a sister - but she lives in Torrance and hates when I call her about my car. And I have AAA."

Me: "D you have a cell phone? Would you like to use mine?"

Car Lady: "I have a cell, I can call. I wonder if I should drive it."

Me: "Call AAA - that is what I would do- that is ALL I COULD do."

After another forever long pause, I started emptying the trunk of my car - and walked into the building. Feeling like a total jerk leaving her there. (I HATE putting strangers in my car.) So, I hook up the dog, get my cell and my AAA card and a jacket (OK, 2) - because the sun is going down and who knows how long we'll be out there. And I go outside with the mutt.

Wrong move. the Car Lady thinks I have gone inside, taken an on-line mechanic course and have come back to diagnose the problem.

Car Lady "Listen, the noise went away - oh, wait - there it is is again, and again."

Me: "Did you call your sister or AAA?"

C.L. "No"

Me: "OK, how far away do you live?"

C.L. : "Here.'

Me: "Here? You live here?"

C.L.: "Yes."

Me: "So, you have your keys to get in and you are not stranded? You are safe?"

C.L. "Yes. But, I need a ride to the doctors tomorrow if it's still making this sound."

Me: "Tell your sister you'll take her to lunch."