A Boy's Dream Come True... :-)
04-22-2013, 10:34 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
A Boy's Dream Come True... :-)
Okay...Friday evening I'm kicked back in my recliner when an odd minivan pulls into my driveway. It was a fellow I've known casually for a few years with his son. I had no idea what they wanted but they do lawn care, tree trimming, etc. and have done a few things for me - very nice folks. They are both from Peru - the dad's been here for several years but the son only came about 3 years ago. We chit-chatted a few minutes when the dad said he wanted to ask me a favor: The next evening was the boy's senior prom and he wanted to know if I would be willing to deliver him to the venue in my Corvette. The school where the boy goes has developed a tradition where the kids try to show up in something unusual, very nice, or whatever - everyone tries to out-do the others. I told him I'd be glad to. Dad wanted to know what I would charge him. I said that prom delivery was complimentary. 
So they show up at my house Saturday evening at the appropriate time (my car freshly washed & waxed and read to go) only the boy has a date! Holy Smoke! I have no idea what I was thinking... For whatever reason I was thinking he was meeting a date there (or had no date...) and it was just going to be me dropping him off. After some conferencing in English and Spanish (
) the girl rode with me and the boy with the dad until we were just a couple blocks from the prom location (about 25 miles from my house). I honestly think they didn't know a Corvette didn't have a back seat...
I had decided that I'd take the top off and the girl could sit in the boy's lap. We got this took care of (still a few blocks away) and started down the street. Very awkward! Also very lame looking... When we get close enough for me to scope out the situation I made a quick change to the plan. The drop off "red carpet" point was in front of the prom spot with all of the folks being delivered having to turn a corner a half block away - and there was several blocks of cars down the other street waiting.
We stopped a block from the turn everyone was having to make (on a side street away from everyone - nobody seeing or paying attention to us) and I asked the boy if he had a driver's license. Nope...
But he said he could drive. I was a little hesitant but from the times I've been around him I know he's not a wild or disrespectful kid. I got out, had the boy get behind the wheel and told him if he bumped into anything he would be mowing my yard for the rest of his life. 
The procession was only moving about 1 mile per hour or less - a car would pull up and stop, it would take a minute or two for the kids to get out & have their picture made, etc. I walked up to the corner and asked if "we" could cut in line - no problem... So off I go the next half block to wait for them to get to the drop off point - maybe 200-250 folks were standing around watching the show.
Boy pulls up to the drop off point, stops, gets out and goes around to open the door for his date, out she steps and cameras are snapping picitures like crazy.
Everyone was watching them and after they start for the door I just stepped up to get my car. Worked out well! The boy only got to drive about a block and a half but I'm sure it thrilled him and he was a hit. 
I was thinking about when I was going to the prom in my dad's '77 Olds Delta 88... Oh, my God! How I would have liked having a Vette! Even if it was just for a couple blocks... Dammit, I wish I had known me when I was 17 years old!
America's a great place, ain't it?
Oh, had to add this - I suspect the boy will be buying a new Vette some day...
So they show up at my house Saturday evening at the appropriate time (my car freshly washed & waxed and read to go) only the boy has a date! Holy Smoke! I have no idea what I was thinking... For whatever reason I was thinking he was meeting a date there (or had no date...) and it was just going to be me dropping him off. After some conferencing in English and Spanish (
) the girl rode with me and the boy with the dad until we were just a couple blocks from the prom location (about 25 miles from my house). I honestly think they didn't know a Corvette didn't have a back seat...I had decided that I'd take the top off and the girl could sit in the boy's lap. We got this took care of (still a few blocks away) and started down the street. Very awkward! Also very lame looking... When we get close enough for me to scope out the situation I made a quick change to the plan. The drop off "red carpet" point was in front of the prom spot with all of the folks being delivered having to turn a corner a half block away - and there was several blocks of cars down the other street waiting.
We stopped a block from the turn everyone was having to make (on a side street away from everyone - nobody seeing or paying attention to us) and I asked the boy if he had a driver's license. Nope...
But he said he could drive. I was a little hesitant but from the times I've been around him I know he's not a wild or disrespectful kid. I got out, had the boy get behind the wheel and told him if he bumped into anything he would be mowing my yard for the rest of his life. The procession was only moving about 1 mile per hour or less - a car would pull up and stop, it would take a minute or two for the kids to get out & have their picture made, etc. I walked up to the corner and asked if "we" could cut in line - no problem... So off I go the next half block to wait for them to get to the drop off point - maybe 200-250 folks were standing around watching the show.Boy pulls up to the drop off point, stops, gets out and goes around to open the door for his date, out she steps and cameras are snapping picitures like crazy.
Everyone was watching them and after they start for the door I just stepped up to get my car. Worked out well! The boy only got to drive about a block and a half but I'm sure it thrilled him and he was a hit. I was thinking about when I was going to the prom in my dad's '77 Olds Delta 88... Oh, my God! How I would have liked having a Vette! Even if it was just for a couple blocks... Dammit, I wish I had known me when I was 17 years old!
America's a great place, ain't it?
Oh, had to add this - I suspect the boy will be buying a new Vette some day...
Last edited by Supercrewbear; 04-22-2013 at 10:42 PM.
04-22-2013, 10:45 PM
#7
Race Director
Great story and what a nice gesture from you. A memory of a lifetime.....Hopefully in a few years, he will be sharing his first post as the kid who got to ride in a vette to the prom.
Congrats. Too bad you get no free lawn care for life. Hahahaha
Congrats. Too bad you get no free lawn care for life. Hahahaha
04-22-2013, 10:53 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Aug 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 2,711
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Supercrewbear...... Great story and thanks so much for relating in detail. So nice to see a hardworking young man like this get treated with the respect you showed him. I'm sure this has meant a lot to this young man...!!
04-23-2013, 12:53 AM
#18
Le Mans Master
great story and trusting
I had an 4th gen fbody for my prom way back when. Not too shabby for 17/18. Sweet story and very nice of you.
I had an 4th gen fbody for my prom way back when. Not too shabby for 17/18. Sweet story and very nice of you.
04-23-2013, 01:02 AM
#20
Prom date
Okay...Friday evening I'm kicked back in my recliner when an odd minivan pulls into my driveway. It was a fellow I've known casually for a few years with his son. I had no idea what they wanted but they do lawn care, tree trimming, etc. and have done a few things for me - very nice folks. They are both from Peru - the dad's been here for several years but the son only came about 3 years ago. We chit-chatted a few minutes when the dad said he wanted to ask me a favor: The next evening was the boy's senior prom and he wanted to know if I would be willing to deliver him to the venue in my Corvette. The school where the boy goes has developed a tradition where the kids try to show up in something unusual, very nice, or whatever - everyone tries to out-do the others. I told him I'd be glad to. Dad wanted to know what I would charge him. I said that prom delivery was complimentary.
So they show up at my house Saturday evening at the appropriate time (my car freshly washed & waxed and read to go) only the boy has a date! Holy Smoke! I have no idea what I was thinking... For whatever reason I was thinking he was meeting a date there (or had no date...) and it was just going to be me dropping him off. After some conferencing in English and Spanish ( ) the girl rode with me and the boy with the dad until we were just a couple blocks from the prom location (about 25 miles from my house). I honestly think they didn't know a Corvette didn't have a back seat...
I had decided that I'd take the top off and the girl could sit in the boy's lap. We got this took care of (still a few blocks away) and started down the street. Very awkward! Also very lame looking... When we get close enough for me to scope out the situation I made a quick change to the plan. The drop off "red carpet" point was in front of the prom spot with all of the folks being delivered having to turn a corner a half block away - and there was several blocks of cars down the other street waiting.
We stopped a block from the turn everyone was having to make (on a side street away from everyone - nobody seeing or paying attention to us) and I asked the boy if he had a driver's license. Nope... But he said he could drive. I was a little hesitant but from the times I've been around him I know he's not a wild or disrespectful kid. I got out, had the boy get behind the wheel and told him if he bumped into anything he would be mowing my yard for the rest of his life. The procession was only moving about 1 mile per hour or less - a car would pull up and stop, it would take a minute or two for the kids to get out & have their picture made, etc. I walked up to the corner and asked if "we" could cut in line - no problem... So off I go the next half block to wait for them to get to the drop off point - maybe 200-250 folks were standing around watching the show.
Boy pulls up to the drop off point, stops, gets out and goes around to open the door for his date, out she steps and cameras are snapping picitures like crazy. Everyone was watching them and after they start for the door I just stepped up to get my car. Worked out well! The boy only got to drive about a block and a half but I'm sure it thrilled him and he was a hit.
I was thinking about when I was going to the prom in my dad's '77 Olds Delta 88... Oh, my God! How I would have liked having a Vette! Even if it was just for a couple blocks... Dammit, I wish I had known me when I was 17 years old!
America's a great place, ain't it?
Oh, had to add this - I suspect the boy will be buying a new Vette some day...
So they show up at my house Saturday evening at the appropriate time (my car freshly washed & waxed and read to go) only the boy has a date! Holy Smoke! I have no idea what I was thinking... For whatever reason I was thinking he was meeting a date there (or had no date...) and it was just going to be me dropping him off. After some conferencing in English and Spanish (
) the girl rode with me and the boy with the dad until we were just a couple blocks from the prom location (about 25 miles from my house). I honestly think they didn't know a Corvette didn't have a back seat...I had decided that I'd take the top off and the girl could sit in the boy's lap. We got this took care of (still a few blocks away) and started down the street. Very awkward! Also very lame looking... When we get close enough for me to scope out the situation I made a quick change to the plan. The drop off "red carpet" point was in front of the prom spot with all of the folks being delivered having to turn a corner a half block away - and there was several blocks of cars down the other street waiting.
We stopped a block from the turn everyone was having to make (on a side street away from everyone - nobody seeing or paying attention to us) and I asked the boy if he had a driver's license. Nope...
But he said he could drive. I was a little hesitant but from the times I've been around him I know he's not a wild or disrespectful kid. I got out, had the boy get behind the wheel and told him if he bumped into anything he would be mowing my yard for the rest of his life. The procession was only moving about 1 mile per hour or less - a car would pull up and stop, it would take a minute or two for the kids to get out & have their picture made, etc. I walked up to the corner and asked if "we" could cut in line - no problem... So off I go the next half block to wait for them to get to the drop off point - maybe 200-250 folks were standing around watching the show.Boy pulls up to the drop off point, stops, gets out and goes around to open the door for his date, out she steps and cameras are snapping picitures like crazy.
Everyone was watching them and after they start for the door I just stepped up to get my car. Worked out well! The boy only got to drive about a block and a half but I'm sure it thrilled him and he was a hit. I was thinking about when I was going to the prom in my dad's '77 Olds Delta 88... Oh, my God! How I would have liked having a Vette! Even if it was just for a couple blocks... Dammit, I wish I had known me when I was 17 years old!
America's a great place, ain't it?
Oh, had to add this - I suspect the boy will be buying a new Vette some day...
C5-JIM
