Jennifer and I met in December 1988.  After that, she was in town one weekend.  As we were leaving church I walked to my Corvette and unlocked the door for her.  She stood there wondering why I was at this Corvette instead of my Grand Prix that I drove every day.  I said, “This is my Corvette.”  She asked, “How many cars do you have?”  I responded, “Just the Grand Prix and the Corvette.”  As I climbed in on the driver's side, I watched her reaction.  She did not seem impressed, just buckled up for the drive home.  She had stayed at her sister's house and rode with them to church.

A few months later she was in town for the weekend.  I asked her if she wanted to take the Corvette for a ride to Galveston.  She thought that was a fun idea.  I kept the Corvette at my parent’s house and drove it occasionally.  I opened the Corvette to ensure it was clean, with no trash on the floor, etc…  I turned the key, but nothing happened. The car had sat for a few weeks since I last drove it so this was not unexpected.  I got the battery charger hooked up to the battery.  Let it charge for a few minutes then started the engine.  I backed it up out from under the carport and let it idle while I washed the body down with the hose.  I removed the T-Tops and put them behind the seats.  When all was ready, I drove over to Lisa’s house to pick up Jennifer. 

It was a beautiful day so the drive to Galveston, which was about 20 miles away, was fun.  We drove along the seawall enjoying the drive.  We went to the Strand and parked the car.  We walked around and looked through some of the stores.  When we got back to the Corvette, it barely started.  The battery charged some during the drive but not all the way.  My guess was the battery was due to be replaced. 

I thought it would be fun to ride the ferry over to Bolivar and back before heading back home.  We waited for one ferry to load, then leave.  When the next ferry docked we were first to drive onboard.  My plan was to let the Corvette idle while we transited the ship channel on our way to Bolivar.  Before the ferry left the landing, one of the deckhands said, “Sir, you need to shut off your engine.”  I said, “It may not start again.” It does not matter, you have to shut off your engine.  That is the law.”  I responded, that they would have to help me push it off the ferry when we got to the other side.  He nodded as I turned the key to the off position.

We enjoyed the sights as we crossed over on the 10-minute ride.  As we approached Bolivar, Jennifer and I got back in the Corvette.  I was sure hoping the car started.  When the ferry docked, I turned the key.  Nothing.  I tried again; nothing.  I reached behind me to where the battery was located and tried to turn the battery terminals to make sure they had a good connection.  They were tight.  I tried the key again, no joy.  The deckhand walked up and said, “Sir, you need to pull off the ferry.”  He looked at the line of cars behind us.  I responded I needed help pushing it off since it would not start.  He waved over a couple of guys who worked on the boat.  I asked Jennifer if she would steer it while I got out to help push.  I showed the other guys where on the Corvette body to push to make sure they did not damage anything.  We all pushed from each side instead of the back.  I was afraid that the fiberglass bumper might crack.  We all pushed while Jennifer steered.  There was a small parking lot nearby where we took the car.  As the guys walked back to the ferry and few cars honked at us as they drove off the ferry, I sat down in the passenger seat.  Jennifer asked, “What do we do now?”  I said, “We need to find someone to give us a jump.” 

A few minutes later, one of the workers who helped push us off the boat drove his pickup truck over to us.  It was time for him to go home after working on the ferry that day.  He asked, “You guys need a jump?”  I smiled at Jennifer because I knew God would provide.  I responded, “Do you have cables?”  “I do,” he said.   We hooked up the cables and the Corvette started without effort.  I thanked him as I handed him his cable back.

I climbed back in the passenger seat.  Jennifer looked at me wondering what I was doing.  “It is your turn to drive.”  Without hesitation, she climbed in behind the wheel.  “Where to?” she asked.  “Well, we have a long drive ahead of us since we can’t take the ferry back to Galveston.  So, that way.” as I pointed to the right. 

We drove east along the coast to the first road that went north towards I-10.  We pulled over to a small store to get something to drink.  I handed Jennifer my wallet while I waited with the idling car.  I put the T-Tops back on while I waited for her.  I drove from there to I-10 where we got on the freeway at Winnie, Texas.  It took us almost an hour to get back home.

A day that was supposed to be a normal drive to Galveston and back home turned into an adventure.  Jennifer should have known then that life with me was going to be adventurous.  She fit in well however and rolls with the punches without complaint.

I look forward to our next drive in the Corvette.  I am still working to restore it so it will have a brand-new battery.  I think we will take it for another ferry ride….