Sit and spin

“Triple A, this is Maxine. How can I help?”

Enveloped in the familiar, smoky rasp memories of my father’s Brooklyn relatives, I knew this woman could have passed for The Simpson’s Patty and Selma Bouvier.

First frantic, now relaxed — I sank into Maxine’s warmth and cried, “My car is stuck in the mud! Send someone!”

“Oh, honey,” Maxine purred. Where ARE you? Just give me an address. We’ll get you out in no time. I’ll send Anthony.” Like he was a boy from the neighborhood.