The Car Is Fine

Dad reached over and turned the radio off again. “Gina, I’m trying to listen to the engine. You put in the wrong gas and now the engine is knocking. We need to find a gas station so we can put in the right kind of gas.”

“Dad, it’s fine. The engine is fine. It’s just a little knocking sound. It’s not going to hurt the car.”

“Gina, I know engines. I used to work on them all the time. You need to listen to me. We need to find a gas station so we can put in the right kind of gas.”

I sighed and turned the car around. We found a gas station and my Dad made me put in the right kind of gas. As we were pulling away, I turned the radio back on.

“Dad, can you please not turn the radio off again? I’m trying to listen to the news.”

“The news? What for?”

“I don’t know. I just like to keep up with what’s going on in the world.”

“The world is a big place, Gina. There’s a lot going on. You can’t keep up with all of it.”

“I know, but I like to try.”

“Well, I’m sorry, but I need to listen to the engine. We might have to stop a few more times to put in more gas. I don’t want the engine to blow up or something.”

“Dad, it’s not going to blow up. Just relax, okay?”

“I am relaxed. I’m just trying to take care of the car.”

“I know, but you’re being a little bit obsessive about it.”

“I am not being obsessive. I just know engines. I used to work on them all the time.”

“I know, but seriously, it’s just a little knocking sound. It’s not going to hurt the car.”

“I’m just trying to be cautious, Gina. I don’t want anything to happen to the car.”

“I know, but you’re driving me crazy.”

“I’m sorry, but I just want to make sure the car is okay.”

“I know, but can you please try to relax a little bit?”

“I am relaxed. I’m just being careful.”

“I know, but seriously, you’re driving me crazy.”

“I’m sorry, Gina. I’ll try to relax.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“No problem. I just want to make sure the car is okay.”

My Dad was still being a little bit obsessive about the car, but he was trying to relax. We stopped a few more times to put in more gas, but the car was fine. I was able to listen to the news and keep up with what was going on in the world. Dad was still worried about the car, but he was able to relax a little bit more.