Hanging with Boris

I needed some fresh air today, probably because I've been housebound with an ear infection. My 2009 black Chevy Suburban sat in front of my house, snow-covered, forlorn, and looking somewhat abandoned. I hadn't driven it in almost five days, and I felt guilty, especially since we've endured sub-zero temps and snowfall. 

I slid the key in the ignition, and he started right up. Good old Boris. Yes, my truck has a name, and a personality. I let him run, as I cleaned off the snow and ice. Once done, I slid in the driver's seat, comfortable and relaxed for the first time in days. Then Boris started the conversation.

"I thought you forgot about me, or bought a new truck. I remember how you did Bessie (my black Tahoe) when you got me. You're a sucker for new things," he said.

I let his comment marinate in my head as I put him in gear. His readout warned me of icy roads ahead. I thought about all of the years Boris and I have been together. I smiled, finally ready with my response.

"Nah, it's still me and you," I reassured him. "We're a team. Look at all of the places we've been, just you and me. We got history and that ain't so easy to toss away for something new."

"So how's are future looking?" he asked. "I've been feeling some kind of way for a few days. Am I being replaced?"

I laughed it off, but in the recesses of my mind, recent conversations about pick-up trucks reared up. Sometimes, the truth is the best answer.

"Well, I've been looking at Silverados and Sierras for some undetermined time in the future. The plan is to ease up on you a bit with the long road trips, then in a couple of years, I'll buy a new truck to help out," I said, my hands softly patting the dashboard. "Meanwhile, we have a new mechanic, new bumper, new tires, and you still look good. You and me still got stuff to do."

"We going on any road trips this year?" Boris asked, and I heard the underlying panic in his voice.

"Sure we are, at least four, but none over eight hours, okay?" I said. "I dreamt of you, asked for you, and I'm grateful for you. Let's enjoy this moment, and I'll always take care of you."

Boris and me have at least twenty road trips together, Florida, Texas, and all sorts of other places. I've put over a hundred thousand miles on him, and he's still going great. As I backed down my driveway, I realized how history and dreams play a part in all relationships. Why give up something tested and true for something shiny and new? I got the lesson.

My wife opened up the back door for me, smiled and said "Breakfast is ready." Between Traci and Boris, I think I'll be okay...