My Monte Carlo is sick.

It rarely gets driven in the Winter, and this past winter it didn't get driven at all because of a "check engine" light that came on in November.

So it's either sick or pouting.

My battery is shot, or maybe my alternator. One of my exhaust pipes has a split in it. My cousin says he smells something that indicates the catalytic convertor may be bad.

I took it to the garage and dropped it off with a note that I'd call about it in the morning.

I'll be happy if I end up spending less than two thousand getting it back in tiptop shape. I don't really have a choice. I promised myself when my dad died that I'd either take proper care of the Monte Carlo or I'd sell it to someone who would take care of it.

And I don't want to sell it.