The red car tales continue once again. Just when we thought we’re on our way to smooth riding after having the rear shocks replaced, last weekend it decided to break down on us yet again.

You see, on our way to buy some groceries last Sunday, we heard a disturbing sound coming from the front underside of the car. Suspecting something was wrong, I told andrea we ought to do a round or two inside the subdivision first before taking the car outside just to make sure it’s fit to ride. And just like most women with a mother’s insticnt, we were right on the money. After stalling for a few minutes, we parked and then tried looking for possible problems inside the hood and under the body. There it was – a significantly fast-growing pool of what looked like oil on the road.

I knew immediately that it was bad. With the rate that that fluid was coming out, I feared that whatever it was that was leaking out will probably run out or be completely drained even before the day ends. Unfortunately, because it was Sunday, there was no repair shop to go to. So yesterday, I had to stay home and do something about the problem. I went to the shop, brought the head mechanic to our house and had him check the engine. What we thought was a routine valve replacement turned out to be something worse – like 1,500-peso worse.

For the nth time, andrea and I seriously contemplated about putting an end to the red car’s misery. I mean no matter how much we try to take care of it, even if we predominantly replace its components with Ferrari parts, the red car’s age is just not that practical.

I mean yesterday it was the shocks. Today it’s the transmission. What about tomorrow? What else could go wrong tomorrow? It’s seriously becoming a huge liability.