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How'd you spend your evening?

Thursday, January 24, 2013
Well, this and an empty fire extinguisher are my souvenirs of an interesting night.

What happened? Sit back and relax.

Hubby and I were watching TV this evening. We heard a "WHOMP" outside. I thought for sure a car had wrecked, because we live on a two-lane road that people speed through all the time.

We look at each other and I go flying out the front door and around my car. Next door, I see a car in front of my neighbor's house (it's rural, so we're not right on the road) with flames coming out of it.

I come running back inside to grab the fire extinguisher from the kitchen, and I tripped before the carport (result pictured), scrambled to my feet, hit the door screaming at Hubby to call 911, tell them car engulfed, we need fire department asap, don't know if anyone's inside. Ran into the kitchen, grabbed the extinguisher, ran back out and next door.

There's a guy stopped, staring at the car. I'm yelling at him if he's the driver, if anyone was inside it, etc. as I'm running over. I saw flames in the passenger compartment, but none under the engine.

(Note: My dad was a fireman for years. We had plenty of accidents on the curve in front of my house growing up. And I was a mechanic for several years. So I know my shit. Also, I was a trained rescue diver, so thinking under extreme duress isn't usually a problem. However, my lack of coordination, apparently, is. LOL)

The passenger window was either blown or broken, so I shoot the fire extinguisher into the passenger compartment to see if I can knock it down enough to tell if anyone's inside. The door was locked, so I can't get it open. I can tell there's no one in the passenger seat but can't see the driver side. I run around, that's locked too, but didn't look like anyone in the seat.

I go back around and empty the extinguisher inside as much as I can, still can't see anyone inside it. My neighbor, awakened by I guess me screaming and the fire, comes out with a flashlight and a dead kitchen extinguisher. (Yeah, I know.)

At this point, all we can do is pull back and wait. I was afraid if it went up it might take the power line out above it.

It kicks up again, so we pull back farther. Hillsborough County deputies finally arrive, and then a fire truck. They got it knocked down and said it didn't look like anyone was inside it.

By this time, I'm realizing how badly my knees (especially the right) are fucked up and plop my fat ass down on the ground. (That's the fastest I've run in a while. LOL) Deputy took our info, got in touch with the owner who is at another location, with the keys. My guess is either it was jacked and torched, or insurance. Because the WHOMP Hubby and I heard obviously wasn't from a car flipping, and the only other sound I can associate it with is an explosion.

So as I write this now, it's being loaded on a flatbed. Which Hubby might need to get my ass out of bed tomorrow.

I'm on the couch with an ice pack on my right knee (it's swollen and will probably be a beautiful shade of ouch tomorrow).

So how was your evening?

EDIT: And yes, I've already said I'm using this in a book. LOL

11 reader comments:

  1. Anonymous said...:

    Well...less exciting and no bruising so i have to say better then yours...hope you can walk tomorrow..always worse the next day....please take care and prop your feet up...hope the rest of your night has less painful excitement...

    A true fan
    Chele Blades

  1. CaroleDee said...:

    No good deed and all that jazz. Glad no one was in the car.

    I busted my ass yesterday too, but not for a noble cause. The roads are iced and I was walking my kid to school. Gave my neighbors an awesome show and the kiddos around a four letter vocab lesson :)

  1. Unknown said...:

    Well not as exciting and eventful as your evening....wow that's some scary shit.....hope your knees aren't to bruised....take care of yourself that was a very brave thing to do .....Just like a heroine in a book ....don't mind the spelling ;>)

  1. Kathy L. said...:

    Wow, never had a night like that. Gets your blood pumping. Hope your knees feel better. I have to say great reflex time. Also impressed that you were a mechanic.

  1. Riane said...:

    Wow. The things you do for your stories... oh um, I mean the things you find for your stories. Yeah, that! :) I hope your knees get better soon.

  1. Unknown said...:

    Ooh, that looks like it HURTS! But way to go, hero lady!

  1. Lee said...:

    Glad you weren't hurt worse...but that's not much comfort when you were hurt badly enough! I hope you heal up quickly! You do have quite the exciting experiences! All we get are bears and elk and an occasional mountain lion up here....and they actually are rather boring! LOL

    Alisa (Lee)

  1. rougebolo said...:

    Glad u are ok and hope you have a better weekend.

  1. SharonJM said...:

    Ouch, Tymber. When I was younger, I was always busting up my knees. And unfortunately it doesn't seem to have changed. I was getting off a commuter bus, feel out, ripped the knees of my most beloved jeans. Glad you iced the knees and you'll probably need something for the pain in the A.M.

  1. Anonymous said...:

    I'm sorry this happened to you, but on a selfish note, I'm getting another Tymber Dalton book to read :D Sorry know that selfish but I love your books. Keep safe and I wish we had neighbours like you :D
    Regards Lise

  1. Vanessa said...:

    Wow! nothing that exciting! Just had the family for dinner! Hope you are feeling better by now. The things authors will do to add a bit of realism to their work! LOL!I can just imagine it 'dream bubble.. "now he said... then she ... then he.. what did the fireperson say again... Oh yeah"... tap tap tap..' [big smile].. but I agree cant wait to read the book that goes into. Take care of yourself.