"I promise you this, pal..."
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
-
Topic author - Posts: 37
- Joined: Sat May 16, 2020 6:23 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Crespo
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: None! (For now...)
- Location: Henderson, NV
"I promise you this, pal..."
It was the final few days of my 7th grade year. Everyone was studying, I being one of the few to study my hardest in the library. Then from out of the blue, my best (and only) friend comes up from behind me with one of his characteristic squeals and a slap on my back. He has what he likes to call a slow brain which gives him a speech impediment and makes it hard for him to learn things in school. I look up and offer him the chair next to me. He seats himself and he pulls out his binder. Out from a folder he pulled out a drawing of the Titanic he drew for me. I was ecstatic about it. It had been 6 years since I first fell in the love with ship, beginning on the 100th anniversary of the ships demise. Then, I noticed something peculiar drawn above the bow. It was a crane lowering a small purple car.
"Since you like T's...T's...uh, Model T's so much, I d-d-drew the one they put on the Titanic," he told me.
Looking up from the drawing, I corrected him, "Actually, it was a Renault, but I can see why people would mistaken it for a T."
Embarrassed, he pulled away the drawing. "Oh, whoops," and he then pulled out a pencil from his pocket and scribbled the car black. "There, n-n-now it's a, uh, it's a...a...Model T."
He and I laughed at a level louder than appropriate for a library and I took the drawing back and thanked him for it, and slid it into my typewriter case (because the briefcase my dad used in the 1960s and gave to me broke).
He and I returned to our work and we continued studying. After a half-hour, he taps my shoulder. "I know that-that you like old stuff and-and-and really want a M-M-Model T, but when you g-g-get one will y-you drive me?"
I turned in my chair and gave my friend an Oliver Hardy look when Stan Laurel gives him a good idea. With as much a transatlantic accent I could give, I said "I promise you this, pal. I says I promise you this. When I get myself that shaking car, you and I is going to school together in it."
He smiled at me and stuck his hand out for me to shake. "Yes sir," he said as I shook it.
Nearly three years have passed. My dear friend would never see the day I drive him to school in a Model T.
One day, I'll get myself enough hard earned money. One day, I'll get myself that flivver. And one day, I'll drive to school in it with my friend, me in the driver seat, and the small portion of his ashes I was given in the passenger seat.
"Since you like T's...T's...uh, Model T's so much, I d-d-drew the one they put on the Titanic," he told me.
Looking up from the drawing, I corrected him, "Actually, it was a Renault, but I can see why people would mistaken it for a T."
Embarrassed, he pulled away the drawing. "Oh, whoops," and he then pulled out a pencil from his pocket and scribbled the car black. "There, n-n-now it's a, uh, it's a...a...Model T."
He and I laughed at a level louder than appropriate for a library and I took the drawing back and thanked him for it, and slid it into my typewriter case (because the briefcase my dad used in the 1960s and gave to me broke).
He and I returned to our work and we continued studying. After a half-hour, he taps my shoulder. "I know that-that you like old stuff and-and-and really want a M-M-Model T, but when you g-g-get one will y-you drive me?"
I turned in my chair and gave my friend an Oliver Hardy look when Stan Laurel gives him a good idea. With as much a transatlantic accent I could give, I said "I promise you this, pal. I says I promise you this. When I get myself that shaking car, you and I is going to school together in it."
He smiled at me and stuck his hand out for me to shake. "Yes sir," he said as I shook it.
Nearly three years have passed. My dear friend would never see the day I drive him to school in a Model T.
One day, I'll get myself enough hard earned money. One day, I'll get myself that flivver. And one day, I'll drive to school in it with my friend, me in the driver seat, and the small portion of his ashes I was given in the passenger seat.
-
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Fri Jan 03, 2020 10:04 pm
- First Name: Cory
- Last Name: Woerth
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 26 engine on a stand, Canadian '23 center door
- Location: Colorado Springs CO
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: "I promise you this, pal..."
I have the ashes of a dear friend in a metal locket / vial thing inside the handlebars of the Harley I bought from his widow. I think about him every time I climb on.
-
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 1:24 am
- First Name: Dane
- Last Name: Hawley
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Nil
- Location: Near Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Re: "I promise you this, pal..."
A fantastic goal, to get your T. and a wonderful story.
-
- Posts: 3418
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:53 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Wrenn
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13 Touring, '26 "Overlap" Fordor
- Location: Ohio
- MTFCA Number: 30701
- MTFCI Number: 24033
- Board Member Since: 2019
Re: "I promise you this, pal..."
John, thanks for sharing that wonderful, touching story. Sad that it is, it's good you have memories of the better moments.
May he rest in peace, may you get your flivver soon. God bless young man.
May he rest in peace, may you get your flivver soon. God bless young man.
-
- Posts: 253
- Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2019 6:06 am
- First Name: Chad
- Last Name: Marcheese
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Cut Off Touring / Pickup, 1923 Doodlebug / 1924 Speedster Gow Job
- Location: Upstate, NY
- MTFCA Number: 26904
- Board Member Since: 2005
Re: "I promise you this, pal..."
No one can ever replace true friendship. I hope you are able to eventually get a T. Hang around here enough and might happen sooner than you think.
-
- Posts: 306
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2019 3:16 pm
- First Name: dick
- Last Name: dock
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: T sprint cars
- Location: locchoy wa
Re: "I promise you this, pal..."
My father attended Hershey for many many years, it was his most favorite antique car activity. In the early years he would stay on the grounds to get up early to find the parts and pieces he needed. In later years the Hershey Hotel was his headquarters. When he passed away I thought a perfect place for him to be was the Hershey Fall Meet.
So after cremation, his ashes were spread on the various swap fields. Interesting now those fields are hard covered which makes his final resting place permanent. A rather fitting resting place for a very early and avid brass era antique car collector and restorer.
frontyboy
So after cremation, his ashes were spread on the various swap fields. Interesting now those fields are hard covered which makes his final resting place permanent. A rather fitting resting place for a very early and avid brass era antique car collector and restorer.
frontyboy
-
- Posts: 1559
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:16 am
- First Name: Don
- Last Name: Allen
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Touring
- Location: Houston, TX
- MTFCA Number: 50001
Re: "I promise you this, pal..."
That's some nice prose John.
I enjoyed reading it.
Sorry about your bud...that's rough.
I enjoyed reading it.
Sorry about your bud...that's rough.
1924 Touring
-
- Posts: 1518
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:28 pm
- First Name: Duane
- Last Name: Cooley
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 18 Runabout, 24 Runabout for 20yrs, 25 TT, late Center Door project, open express pickup
- Location: central MN
- MTFCA Number: 32488
- Board Member Since: 2015
Re: "I promise you this, pal..."
Seriously cool John.
When that day comes.
When that day comes.
Since I lost my mind mind, I feel more liberated