The car was beautiful.  Tim was only sorry that Edna wasn't with him to share that first smell of a new car, but he could see the pickup through the rear view mirror and he knew she would be watching his every twist and turn.  Well, he'd show her a good performance.

For her part, Edna realized that, although she'd occasionally driven the pickup on short jaunts to pick up groceries, she'd never driven it after dark, and she didn't know how to turn on the lights.   She hoped they could race home fast enough so that she wouldn't need lights. Thank goodness Tim was picking up speed.  At this rate they certainly would be home before dark.  Edna smiled, even chuckled to herself.  She was sure Tim was going to like driving the new car, and maybe he'd let her drive some, too.  She could hardly wait for the trip to start.

Tim parked the car in the garage, which he had cleaned out, not only by way of welcome for the new Toyota, but also because he wanted to store the pickup there while they were away.  Edna parked the pickup under the breezeway next to the kitchen door where it always stood.

She turned off the ignition, got out and walked over to the garage where Tim was feeling the hood, still warm.

"How'd you like her?,"  Edna asked, and before Tim could reply they heard a car pull up into the drive.

It was a police car.  Don from the Sheriff's office got out, shaking his head as he came toward them, pad in his hand.

"You guys were sure burning rubber there.  You'll pay for this joy ride.  Both of you."

"But isn't she a beauty, Don?  Just got her this afternoon. Do you blame us?"

"I blame you.  And not just for speeding, but also for failing to break in a new car gently.  In my book that's criminal."

Tim's heart sank.  He felt so foolish.  He knew that about breaking in a new car, but he'd been so excited, he'd forgotten.

Seeing Tim's embarrassment, Edna changed the subject.

"Hey, Don, how come you know we were speeding?  I never saw you on the highway."

He gave her that look that said there was no arguing and replied simply,
"_  _  _  _  _."

(5 letters)

 Copyright 1998 J.J. Schnebel
All rights reserved

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