Sally the Car and A Sense of Place

When I didn't want to be alone, I'd sit in my car. Sally, that's what I named my 2002 Saturn SL two. Sally has always been there for me, it would be times when my sister would come and live in my apartment. I had a one bedroom that was perfect for just me, how could I have told my sister she couldn't come and live there? I was always taught "family first," but when I wanted to get away from her it was Sally I longed for.

I would sit and talk to Sally about all the funny things I seen on Instagram or Facebook, she always agreed with any decisions I made. It seems that Sally was never offended by my carelessness. She was my rider, literally. There was one time when we took a trip to Subway and I was so engrossed in eating my delicious tuna sub on garlic bread that I ran into the back of the Jeep Cherokee. We all know that Jeeps have a trailer hitch on the back. I'm so sorry Sally! I shrieked. The owner of the Jeep had a look that told me I was supposed to be telling that to him. I did eventually, but not before I told my baby. I just knew Sally was going to have to be hospitalized, but Nope, she just winked at me. The left side of the bumper hung a little and the right daytime light was blown so it looked like she was winking at me all the time! I made a vow never to eat a sub again because she is too loyal to me and a meal cannot replace our bond.

I even had my very own photo studio… Sally. It seemed like every picture I've ever taken in the driver’s side was beautiful, the lighting was great, the positioning was perfect, and they always made no less than 50 likes on Facebook and Instagram. What more could I ask for? I spent so much time with Sally she even made an accessible place to store my shoes. In the trunk there was every style of shoe you could think of, from boots to tennis shoes. I appreciated Sally so much I took her to get her monthly pedicures and manicures – OK, tuneup and oil changes. I couldn't deny her maintenance. It was very inexpensive, and after all, she's still a woman. Oh, how I miss Sally!

-Shantavious Fenderson