August 13, 2001
11:49pm

After many weeks of colliding schedules, unexpected circumstances, and phone tag, I finally visited Renee today. I was worried about how it all would go, but only because she seemed so eager for us to be good friends. Her worry infected me with worry.

I never knew how far away Brunswick was until I had to drive there. Highway became busy road, busy road became country road, country road became sprouts of posh developments in the middle of nowhere.

I've never liked these kinds of housing developments. The dense woodlands that used to enrich the landscape have been replaced with Monopoly houses and rows of manicured lawns. Worst of all, there are never any trees. Not only does this allow harsh, merciless sunlight to permeate the land, but there's also no sense of history. Everything is entirely too new and compartmentalized. Our house is located in such a development, but it's over thirty years old and is right by a park. Trees are everywhere and I love it.

When I arrived Renee and her sister were having an all out row. Their angry voices echoed conspicuously about the development. I sat in the car feeling awkward and unsure about what I should do. I felt like I was right in the middle of the kind of family argument that only occurs behind closed doors. I soon learned that Renee's family weren't particular about who they argued in front of.

After volunteering to drive her sister to her tennis practice (which thankfully ended the fighting), Renee and I hung out in the park shelter, talking. She had even come prepared with questions to ask in case the conversation lagged. She was afraid that I wouldn't speak because I'm a quiet person. I was afraid I wouldn't get a chance to speak because she's a talkative person. However, our conversation went quite well.

Later that afternoon I went to the library to pick up a book I had on reserve. My patience had finally paid off and I left with a copy of American Gods by Neil Gaiman (who has quickly become my favorite author). My joy soon diminished after realizing I couldn't get into my car. The locks on my doors have been sticking for a couple of weeks. I've been forced to unlock the passenger side door in order to open the driver side door. It was really bad today. Now even the passenger door doesn't want to open. I sighed with frustration because I knew this would require another trip to the dealership. I have been there at least once a week, every week, for the past three weeks. Everytime it was a different problem. The employees there actually know my face and can easily recognize my keychain. All this familiarity is costing me a fortune.

After blowing an afternoon waiting for the verdict I was told I required a new lock, cylinder, and handle for my driver side door. That will cost $230 alone (which is why I didn't even bother asking about fixing the other locks.). I told them to go ahead and order the parts. I have to go in on Wednesday to have it fixed (with money I don't have). It's either this, or leave my car open for any old stranger. My mom doesn't think this is a big deal. She doesn't think anyone is going to bother to steal an eleven-year-old car, and I think she's right. For me, it's more an issue of safety. I don't have to make it easy for weirdos to hide in my backseat.

And I thought I was almost free of my money woes. Silly me.