[Dueller]

As you may know my stepkids' father died in a motorcycle crash earlier this week near Ventura. My wife made arrangements to fly out with the kids to be with them. I booked a rental car for her when making the reservations. The booking agent quoted me a price for the midsize car at $121 for 3 days. I thought that sounded low but they assured me that was the rate. Hey...its been years since I rented a car.

When wifey went to the rental car counter she discovered that that was the daily rate not the cost for 3 days. No problem...she had to have a car. Apparently in the course of completing the paperwork the clerk realized wife and twins were not on vacation but were there to bury their father.

Clerk then says to my wife..."Oh, I just remembered...we have a special on Sebring convertibles. Wouldn't you and dtrs like to switch? $49/day. And you can pick your color."

It may sound trite and superficial given the reason they are there. I know its a cliche to drive around so-Cal in a rental Chrysler convertible. It may look like country comes to town. But for a moment the girls had a chance to be excited about going up the PCH with the top down on a beautiful summer afternoon. And mom made sure the trek was a celebration of their fathers' love of open air motoring. They picked silver...their dad's favorite car color.