It Never Rains, as they say,

but it pours.

So we all set out happily to ballet this afternoon-Elphine in a purple leotard with tutu, pink tights, cowboy boots (her ballet shoes were in my purse), Gladys in a silvery sparkly twirl skirt that actually made her look a little bit like a thug, Romulus representing himself as SuperMatt (I'm not making this up, R really thinks its pronounced this way, and won't be corrected, no matter how often we try) although angry that we haven't been able to find the cape, and Aloysius covered in chocolate. We settled ourselves into the car, turned the dial to 104.9 because someone named Jack Abeelen preaches in that slot from Morning Side Christian something or other in CA (seriously, really good preacher). I backed carefully out of the drive, pulled onto Conklin Ave, was promptly totally and completely blinded by the afternoon sun and smacked into the car in front of me.

So, after much crying and gnashing of teeth, we all drove away basically unharmed. Elphine is still weepy about missing ballet. Matt is furrowed about the cost of fixing our car. Fortunately the other guy's car is covered by our insurance. And the policeman very kindly did not fault me, on account of the sun and commending me on my good use of Child Safety Seats.

Said Matt, gazing soulfully into my eyes, 'Anne, its ok. I love you more than this car.'
'Are you sure?' I said, 'because I feel terrible.'
'Yes' he said.