Still In Texas - But now west of Dallas

Saturday, September 7 - I read and walked a bit this morning. Still not feeling antsy about anything. After lunch I called Stanley at Autoplex asking for an update on Mary Todd. Turns out she needs a new high pressure fuel pump which would not be in until Tuesday. (I did not groan!) The good news  - my extended warranty covered everything but a smallish deductible! I asked if he could recommend a rental car facility and he asked me to give him a bit to see what he could do.

While I waited, Emily (Hampton Inn Desk clerk) rearranged my stay so have me back here Tuesday for the night at same price and cancelled tomorrow night's stay. Cee was okay with me coming for tomorrow and leaving Tuesday morning. Stan called back -  the dealership would handle car rental and he'd send a guy to pick me up.

I was pleased to see Jacob again when his Jeep pulled up in front of the hotel. He'd dropped by work to see how my car was coming along. We chatted about golf and his son until we arrived at the Autoplex, where he sat me in the office and proceeded to give me a 2019 Fiesta to drive until Tuesday. I wasn't certain I'd fit in this teeny car, but it's actually rather comfortable. When I asked didn't I owe him money, he said it all gone on the warranty bill. We'll see. I 'm writing a great letter about him when this is all finished!

Sunday, September 8 - I spent the night at Hampton rather than arrive at Cee's late. Woke up at 6, packed up and left at 7 to arrive for breakfast at her home about 9. Traffic was not awful but driving this tiny car was a very different experience from Mary Todd. I was so much more aware of trucks than I normally am, my eye-line was about level with the tops of their tires!!

Cee was waiting at her front door when I drove up. She looks great! Her girls are good, but I'm kind of ashamed to admit it - we spent the afternoon just the two of us driving around her area and talking non-stop. We hardly took breaths as we caught each other up on all that's happened since we were last face-to-face, nearly a decade! It's like being with Barbara - we know each other so well, we pick up where ever we were when last we talked with no hesitation and no wondering. She remains as passionate, as opinionated, as determined as she has always been and I am still thankful she includes me in that small cadre of people she trusts.

Her cafe is small but comfortable and and her food is delicious!

Still talking, we watched THE LAST JEDI (I'm not sure how Joe and I missed that one in 2017.) while still talking! Yawning we hit the hay and she refused to allow me any guilt about sleeping in her bed while she was on the couch! A woman even more stubborn than I am!

Note: Today I kept looking at her thinking, "I can't believe we FINALLY made it to see each other!!" and,then, she pops out with the same sentiment!!