BOOM and a puff of smoke. Was that us?? A moment later the car died on the side of the road. I coasted the once mobile BMW down the hill and off the autobahn near Saarbrucken. Get out of the car I screamed at the top of my lungs– to myself. Because both my companions were standing on the opposite side of the road. They were screaming at the top of their lungs for ME to get out of the car. Dead on the Autobahn is the story of how I killed my husband’s car.
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Dead on the Autobahn
The Day I Killed My Husband’s Car
I found out that day our friendship ended with the proposition of dying in a fiery inferno. With friends like that, you know the rest. It took me an eternity to get out of the seatbelt and join them. We all stood there, shocked and silent, as the beautiful car melted into a giant black puddle before our eyes!! I called Steven first. But seriously, what was he gonna do? He was in Afghanistan. He suggested I call a mutual friend and mechanic who also worked in the motor pool. Thankfully, he answered the phone, and he and his wife were able to come to our rescue.
GPS location
With the help of a gas station attendant, we pushed the car into an empty space at the rear of the gas station until I could figure out how to get it home. And luckily there was a salvage yard on the base. They only charged me a flat rate of $100 to tow the car to the BMW mechanic on Baumholder. I didn’t know exactly where we were. But I was able to describe the exit. Low and behold this guy knew exactly where the car died on the Autobahn.
Oh, the irony when I went to his office while he was reading the Stars and Stripes. I said that’s me, I wrote that. He was shocked. He asked me to sign his issue of the magazine. I think that was my 8th or 9th signature to date. I left the salvage yard thinking “my celebrity” got me a great deal. Not, he charged everyone the same thing based on his knowledge of the area. The Germans would have charged me an arm and a leg because they charge by the mile– regardless of who you are.
Check the Gauges
The next day, I had the BMW towed back to base. But there was nothing even the Germans and all their automobile expertise could do for that car. It got so hot, the bolts holding the engine together had melted right through the engine block. And from what I now understand that’s pretty damn hot.
Turns out those gauges are very important. If I had paid attention, I would have learned the car was extremely low on oil. They graciously stored the car until my husband returned six months later. After that, we sold it for scraps and pocketed $500. Abracadabra, $6000 GONE just like that (two snaps up and two snaps down).
A Husband’s Betrayal
Tell Me How You Really Feel
But that’s not what I’m shocked about. Today, I found out my husband has been lying to me for years. He has been deceiving me about that ill-fated day, something that upset us both. Him probably more than me because I don’t fall in love with a car so easily. He’s been telling me one thing and his friends and coworkers something entirely different about death on the Autobahn. And I had no idea.
I had no freaking idea he felt that way. That he was hurt or angry or that he could, at one time, been mad at me. He told me what happened was not my fault. He told me that it happened every day and that it could happen to anyone. Turns out it doesn’t happen very often at all and that it was all my fault. He lied to me to spare my feelings. He lied to me because there was nothing he could do to change the outcome. And he lied to me because a little smoke is not worth arguing about. He lied to me because he loves me. But most of all, he lied to me because what was done was and he figured I’d never know the truth.
Yup, I Fu@%ed up
He knew I was coming to bring him lunch today. He just didn’t expect me so early. Better yet, his co-worker, who shares an office out of sight of the front door, didn’t expect me so early. But when I walked into the office, they were having a very animated conversation. I heard bits and pieces… dead on the Autobahn… fu@%ed up… nice car… wife… read the gauges.
It didn’t take long to figure out they were talking about me and the car I carelessly blew up on the Autobahn. A car that was beautiful and oh what a shame it’s a piece of crap now because I didn’t pay any attention to the gages. Those gages that should have told me the car was overheating. Before I heard what sounded like an explosion or saw the smoke fog up my windshield.
I heard my husband say it didn’t surprise him that I jumped into the car and never looked at the dash. He talked about the string of car troubles I’ve had over the years– a total loss car accident involving both our cars and a few times when I ran out of gas with money in my pocket. I’d heard enough, so I popped my head in the door.
Busted!!
As I turned the corner, I saw the co-worker’s eyes turn into flying saucers. He tried to quiet my husband without being obvious to me. He was winking his eyes while making a slight cutting motion across his throat. But my hubby wasn’t taking the hints. So you can imagine the surprise on my husband’s face. Open mouth, insert foot. And he tried, unsuccessfully, to play it off.
A New BMW
We never made it to CORA that day. Instead, we spent that beautiful sunny day under an umbrella. We snacked on cappuccinos and German eis at a cute little eis salon in the middle of nowhere. CORA would have to wait until next week.
Rebecca drove.
As for Steven. He fell in love again. This time to a cute little silver BMW. I don’t drive it much. But when I did, I made sure to check the gauges, repeatedly, every single time I drove her. And when we left, he sold to another soldier for the same price he paid for it. It’s all good!!
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Comments
I was terrified to read it. I hope everyone is safe.
This is a cute story. I am glad this story had a good ending to it today!
That is SO scary! I’m glad you’re okay
That is such a terrifying incident and I am glad that everyone is okay and I am happy for having a new car.
Oh my god! What an experience! I can’t believe the BMW started on fire like that!
OMG… so glad to see everyone is okay. I’m sure the insurance will take care of it and get ready for a new one.
What a crazy story. It’s definitely important to keep an eye on dash lights, even though they can be quite misleading sometimes! So glad you all made it out ok!
Lol I know, I was so excited that day. That’s tge main reason I overlooked it. I’ve learned my lesson for sure.
Great story, but glad noone was hurt. Definitely important to have that insurance on point at times like this.
Just the poor car. I felt bad when I found out how much he liked that car and I am much more careful now.
How scary. I’m glad no one was hurt. You can always replace the car.
So true. We’re iver it. And he still lets me drive his car from time to time.
OMG- that is so scary. I am so glad you all are safe. I have been hearing about the teslas bursting in flames!
Good grief, I hadn’t heard that before. But we’re okay now— he has forgiven me— well I haven’t overheard anything different. Lol
Wow how scary! Also, I can’t believe how cheeky your husband is!
Wow that is frightening! I’m glad everyone is okay. That’s the most important thing, right? xo, Suzanne
I used to work on my own vehicles a lot, which started when I owned my first older motorcycle. I can tell you from not only my experience, but my mechanic’s (a friend of my Dad’s from Holland who coincidentally moved to the same town in Canada that we were in), and now my son who is a car mechanic that dash lights are NOT RELIABLE. My brake warning lights never came on before the callipers seized completely once. They never came on on a cross-country camping trip even after I started to hear grinding and crawled under the car myself and saw the badly deteriorated rotors, and it didn’t come on after someone hit my car without my knowledge puncturing the A/C compressor, destroying the rebar in the front of the car, and also damaging the rad causing my car to overheat. I’ve also had check engine lights that my mechanic disconnected because we never found anything wrong with the car after repeatedly reading it. Cars should NOT overheat that fast, and subsequently blow up, and my ex was military too – everything was always my fault and he couldn’t stand up for me to save his life. Don’t blame yourself girl!!! It wasn’t your fault!
That fire bursting out of that BMW is so scary…I tend to love black cars like your previous one but good enough, you are safe and got a new car too!
Eeek!! This is scary and glad everything worked out. Your way with words is awesome 🙂
OMG. I’m glad you are okay! Can’t believe the car went up in flames!
oh, man! this is terrifying! glad you’re ok, and sorry about the car
How scary that must have been for you! I’m glad everything turned out okay. Travel mishaps make some of the best stories!
That is so scary. Glad y’all got out okay and no one was hurt.
That’s really scary! Your storytelling skills really made the incident hard to stop reading about
OMG! First of all, I’m so glad you’re ok. Second, your husband is amazing, and last but not least you’re such a great storyteller!
Something like that happened to someone parking his car in front of my windows. I couldn’t see anything but smoke, it was a bit terrifying!
That was a disaster, hopefully you feel great!
By the way, the new car is cool!
I would not have a clue about gauges on a car. I am a get in the car and drive gal.
Okay, that’s terrifying. I’m so glad you didn’t get hurt. Your new car is lovely!
Wow, what a scary experience. How nice of your husband to spare your feelings. You got a good one!!
What a shock to the system. I would have been so scared with the car catching fire like that. thank goodness you got out safely. I’m pleased to hear your husband now has a new love of his life!
Holy cow! Glad you are okay! Poor car! lol
I am glad that in the end everything worked out for you. It must have been terrifying to have happen. And I am sure he didn’t want you to feel worse than you already did.
I’m so glad you got out of that safely! How awkward that your husband got caught out by you, haha!
I do not fall in love easily or do not trust anyone easily. It feels bad when I see others in pain.
You are a great writer!! I wasn’t sure where this story was going for a moment, but I did enjoy reading it 🙂
I drive a BMW and I will be sure to check the gauges. I have had some issues with mine, but I love the car so much.
Oh my goodness, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. You don’t expect a BMW to burst into flames
Oh my goodness. I’m glad you made it out of the car safe and sound but sad that it melted away. As for the husband lol I may not have stood by so calmly while he spoke to his friends…
Just remember, the car can always be replaced but you my dear can’t. Remember the important things and let your car insurance take care of the rest 😉
You are such a great writer! I had a wonderful time reading this.
That’s so funny! I love this story