The Joke's on Jane

By Ed Penland

Back in 1975, I was working at Mrs. Smiths Pie Company at 7th and Lindley Streets. I'd work many overnight shifts and occasionally after work would stop over Aunt Glady's for a cup of coffee before I went home. One day, shortly after I had crunched the front of my Dad's '63 wagon up, and the hood was bent up, I made my way over and saw Janie's car parked on Windrum Avenue with space behind it. I parked my Dad's wagon as close as I could without touching her car and went in to enjoy my morning coffee. Shortly after I finished telling Aunt Glady about what had happened to Dad's car, Janie came down the steps. I looked at Aunt Glady and turned to Jane and said, "I'm sorry Janie, I'm really sorry!". She looked at me and I pointed out to the cars parked on the street. She quick grabbed a coat and shoes and went running out to inspect the "damage". No sooner than the door slammed as she was running across the street when Aunt Glady and I started laughing. Aunt Glady told me that she doesn't remember ever seeing such panic in Janie's face. We had just stopped laughing when she came back in, and the look on her face started us both up again. It's a moment in time I'll never forget.


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