Chapter FiveThe engine cranks over and the SUV roars to life in that reassuring, old faithful, nothing-can-kill-a-Toyota way. The Cars’ “Drive” abruptly drowns out the silence, and the soothing tones combined with the overhead broiler comfortably melts me into Passive Mode. With a click of a button, the windows race to see who can lower the fastest as the air conditioning wakes from its all-day respite. I love the August heat, I love my truck, and I unabashedly love driving with the windows down while embracing arctic headwinds. In a world where everyone is conserving energy and driving itty bitty toy cars with electric and lawnmower-sized engines, I selfishly prefer to stick with what I know and what I love.
My truck is an extension of my identity, like a gas-guzzling appendage of sorts
