After shocking the sensibilities of a conservative audience with my first time speech on cars; I went back to the same audience with this mellower version:
Boo Boom Boo Boom
What was that sound? What was making that sound?
It was the middle of July and unlike most days in that month; the sun was a blazing ball in the sky and the heat stifling. I had walked almost a mile to meet you. My shoes were dusty, my hands clammy with sweat and my legs ached. I was irritable and tired and then I saw you.
Boo Boom Boo Boom
It was my heart, beating, audible, in love.
Strong but curvy, your colour a deep flawwwwless mahogany and smooth, oh so smooth. My hand involuntary stretched to touch you, but I stopped myself before I made contact, fearing by putting my sweaty and dusty palm on you, I would mar your beauty. You were the vision from my dream, and I instantly knew I could not live without you.
I finally got the courage to take you home that afternoon but it took me time to get used to having you in my life. For days, I would wake up early in the morning and in a fit of panic, rush to you lay fearing you were just a dream. When we were with others, I would jealously guard you, could not and would not let anyone lay a finger on you, wishing to preserve your beauty.
As days passed, and my fear of your fragility faded, we grew even closer and I more comfortable with you. Day in and day out we would go for long drives together criss-crossing the county, partying in the cities; today we were in Naivasha tomorrow Mombasa. On nights, we’d dance with the lights, the stars and the booming stereo. We lived and loved, soaking in scenery, the lights, the wind, the highways, and the winding country roads. I would hold you close listening to you purr and my heart would swell with pride that you were mine. You would never let me down, always there beautiful and strong.
I was tired and angry and made a mistake and our world came crashing around us so fast. It was my fault, I shouldn’t have been on the road, I shouldn’t have put you through that. I tried to save you, I swear I did. I veered to the left, and pushed hard on the brakes trying to stop us, but we spun off the road and landed in a ditch. I was not hurt, but you would never be the same again.
After that day, you would grumble and whine when I took you out. On some days, we would be moving together and then all of a sudden you would stop and refuse to move. I would coax and plead with you but you sat there groaning and coughing dark clouds. Your dark episodes dragged me into spirals of despair. I couldn’t eat; couldn’t sleep filled with worry and desolation.
Everyone told me to let you go, but I couldn’t bear to part with you. I wanted you with me; I needed you with me. I would not let you go. We would see this through together. And so slowly I worked, day and night on you, nursing you back to what you used to be.
Every day was a challenge; a challenge to reclaim the beauty of my love. I would spend long hours with you, pouring out my heart and soul. Sometimes it would look as if you were getting better and I’d urge you to come out into the sunlight with me. But many times it was false hope and I knew you needed more time. With time though I got better at bringing you back, and one day you were finally well enough to share the sun and breeze with me once more.
My heart still beats for you as it did that long day ago in July. You might not look the same as you did then. Yes you have changed, but those changes have given you more character. Maybe you are no longer smooth and flawless but each bump, each scratch has meaning. They tell stories of the adventures we shared, the life we lived together. We might no longer go for long drives or wild escapades as before but every moment we spend together still brings comfort and joy to my soul. I’m glad I stuck by you; because you are my one true love, the Mercedes Benz of my dreams.
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