One Prius, Two
Prius, Pink Prius, Blue Prius
by Jerry Guarino
There is no actual proof
that there are more white Prius cars than any
other model in California. Some estimates put the
number at over two million. The hybrid car became
so popular that Toyota began making personalized
versions to match owner’s particular
interests. There were models to match your
college colors, cars with artwork laminate and
even a baby blue and pink model to celebrate
newborns.
Tony and Barbara sat in the first table at the
wedding of their son Jim. You might remember Jim
from the time he took his shotgun trying to
excavate that pesky rooster from his parents home.
Now, he was betrothed to Dianne, the girl he
first met in Sunday school, fifteen years earlier.
They were a striking couple, Jim’s rugged
good looks and Dianne’s classic beauty like
the French statue she was named for. Surely the
children would be just as handsome or beautiful
as they were.
“It won’t be long before you’re a
grandmother dear” said Tony to his wife.
“Oh, I can’t wait. I’ve already
started picking out patterns for baby clothing
and blankets.”
“Baby blue?”
“Probably. You know Jim. He’ll want a
boy”
“I’m going to say they’ll have a
girl, so better buy some pink too.”
It was a flawless wedding. No drama or problems.
All the couple’s friends and family were
there and the youngsters partied long into the
night.
***
Jim was a type A force
while Dianne was more reserved, but together they
blended well. Like many young couples, they spent
a lot of time out, visiting wineries, going
camping and having friends over for dinner. Most
of their friends were married the same year they
were, so there were a lot of weddings to attend.
Dianne’s sorority sisters were all ready to
set up families of their own.
A short year later, Jim was able to buy out the
motorcycle shop he worked for. After another year,
they had saved enough money to make a down
payment on a house. At the housewarming party,
many expected this couple to announce the third
grand surprise, a baby.
“Tony, you still driving that antique car?”
Jim loved to make fun of Tony’s Prius.
“Yes, still getting 50 miles to a gallon too.
How about that truck of yours? You’ll have
to get rid of it when you have a family. Need a
good four door with good mileage.”
“Tony, did you hear that Toyota is recalling
the Prius with a brake problem? But don’t
worry, Prius cars don’t go fast enough to
need brakes.”
“Good one Jim. Remind me that when you’re
paying $80 to fill your tank.” Tony and Jim
had this sort of friendly joking about Jim’s
high-powered truck and motorcycles and Tony’s
practical hybrid car. Dianne even chimed in.
“Jim was having a nightmare and I could
distinctly hear him say, no, not another
Prius.” Tony and Barbara enjoyed this
ribbing.
Barbara took Tony aside and asked in a whisper.
“How long before you think Dianne will be
pregnant?” she said.
“Actually, she looks quite content today. I
wouldn’t be surprised if she was already
there. Did you notice she hasn’t had any
wine today?”
“You’re right. I didn’t catch that.”
So Tony asked Dianne’s father what he
thought. “Say you’re right. She usually
has had a glass of wine by now. Should we start a
pool on the birth date?”
Tony’s prediction was confirmed the
following week when the couple visited them on a
Sunday afternoon. Dianne gave Barbara a card with
a picture of two motorcycles and three helmets,
one obviously too small. The caption read:
Looks
like we’re going to need that sidecar!
“But the helmet is
blue” said Barbara to Jim. Do you know that
it’s a boy?”
Jim and Dianne shook their heads. “No, but
we have a good feeling; we’re not going to
find out until the birth.”
“A surprise is nice,” said Barbara.
“So long as the baby is healthy.”
“All our friends think it’s going to be
a boy.”
“Then plan on a girl” said Tony. “That’s
just the way life works.”
***
Dianne went into labor two
weeks early. Jim was stuck at work helping one of
his employees who was injured by an exhaust pipe.
By the time he got the phone call, there was a
pileup on 880 from an accident. He tried to keep
Dianne calm on the cell phone.
“Don’t worry honey, I’ll be there
in time to help you. Are your parents there?”
“Only Barbara and Tony. My parents should be
here soon though. Jim, I love
you.”
“I love you too sweetheart. I’ll get
there as soon as possible.”
The pain got so strong that the doctors gave
Dianne something to relax her, and then rushed
her into the delivery room. As Dianne relaxed,
she mumbled something to the nurse.
“OK, I got it. You just relax mom. We’re
going to do a C-section.”
Jim rushed into the hospital in time to see the
nurse gently placing his new daughter into one of
the cribs in the nursery room. He was overcome
with emotion, shedding more than a few tears. He
motioned to the nurse to bring her over to the
glass divider.
“Can you bring her over to me?”
The nurse carried the pink bundle over to her new
father. She had blue eyes, blonde hair and an
adorable button nose. This was the greatest
moment of his life, even trumping his wedding day.
He had so many plans for her; to give her
everything she needed until the day he would walk
her down the aisle at her wedding. Jim stood
there smiling and crying at the same time. Then
he noticed the little ankle tag around her leg.
Prius Elizabeth Mariani, 6 lbs. 4 oz., born
on April 15, 2013 at 4:24pm.
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO” he screamed
and ran to his wife’s recovery room.
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