My brother, David, sent me a photo of a 1949-50 Frazer automobile, recently. He included this note: “This is the car Mother was driving when you fell out.” It was not the actual car, of course, but a photo of one like our mom was driving.
I am guessing not many people can recount the story of when they fell out of a car. If you cannot, do not feel badly about it. I cannot recommend the experience.
I hit the road one morning in Texarkana. I am guessing we were in Texarkana, Texas, not Texarkana, Arkansas. There’s not much that separates the two small cities other than a stripe down the middle of State Line Avenue.
Mother was driving us to school one morning in that Frazer. I do not remember exactly what grade I was in. Early elementary is the best I can do. I started school in 1960 at Sacred Heart Academy in Texarkana. Texas. First grade. Kindergarten had not caught on there, apparently.
As my mother took a sharp turn maybe a little too fast in the Frazer, the front passenger door fell open and I fell out. I had been sitting in the front seat with no seat belt. Those things were years away from appearing in cars. I wish the company that built Frazers had looked ahead to the possibility that a little dude might roll out of one of their cars someday. Oh, well.
I still remember skidding across the asphalt pavement. After maybe 60 years, I still remember that it hurt. I was fortunate. No car ran over me and I came out of it with scratches and bruises. My pants were torn a little, which bothered me. I was particular about my clothing and I was distressed to see the damage. I do not remember crying.
My mother quickly stopped, of course, checked me out and put me back in the car. She decided not to drop me off at school. I mean, I had already been dropped off in a way.
I ended up spending the day taking it easy. At every opportunity, I told people about my adventure. And, here I am now still talking about it.
My fall might account for why I am a slow poke driver. Maybe I am afraid of falling out of my car. All I know is I can drive from here to Texas and never fall out. Not even once. I also refuse to buy a Frazer automobile (the company shut down in 1953).
It's KPC Again 