†King and I – Power of Papa’s Mustang

In memory of my Father. His love, courage, and sacrifice created and inspired the force in my life.

Varoooom!  Varooom! Loved when Papa made that sound as I pulled on the carburetor of the Mustang. I felt the powerful force of a hundred of horses!  

Tucked inside our family’s garage sat the classic 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby – Papa’s and my horse.

Many a night, while Papa slept, I’d sneak to see the Mustang and pretend to be riding it – it was mine. But one day, a stranger threatened to take my horse.

“No, it’s not for sale.” I told the man who walked in off the street asking about the Mustang as I shined the steel horse. He quickly turned as I demanded he leave. But he came back the next day. Again, I said no. Again he returned. Again I said no.

Papa who worked six days a week finally took a vacation and stayed home. Pretending to be his apprentice, I worked with Papa in the garage learning how to check the oil, replace a tire or battery.

Today, Papa was having trouble starting the car. Looks like starter’s out, I said. Papa smiled, saying “Well, looks like we’ll have to get it started.” He then asked me to jump into the driver’s seat and turn the ignition as he tapped with a hammer the tire-iron he’d placed on the starter. Mustang fired up, Varoooom! It worked Papa!

Day went by quickly. It started to get dark. Looking outside seeing the sun set, the same man I had sent away time and again was now just meters away and approaching quickly.

I had to think quickly! “Papa, I’m not feeling so good, we need to go inside the house.” As he put his arm around my shoulder ready to walk me inside, Mama came out. Papa asked her to take me in and would join us after closing up the garage. Darn, my ploy backfired. The stranger will ask Papa about buying our Mustang!

I waited and waited and waited……………..

Papa finally came in! Before I could say anything, he spoke looking straight at me.

“Leticia…” Calling me by my full name I knew I was in trouble. 

Yes, Papa.

“Come, let’s sit by the window in my office where it’s cool.”

Yes, Papa.

“So, I hear you have an admirer.”

I do, I said rather confused.

“Why yes, before I could close the garage a young man approached me and very cordially introduced himself. He is quite taken with the Mustang. He noted that he had come by on several occasions. And each time you sent him away quite bluntly telling him, ‘It’s not for sale.’ Is this correct?”

Yes, Papa, I replied.

“Congratulations, you’ve succeeded in making my responsibility as a father a lot easier,” he said.

Seeing confusion in my eyes, he began to tell me that in my rejecting to hear of any offers to buy the Mustang, our treasure, I instinctively was aware of the importance of three life lessons: Not trusting strangers, saying no and the power of possession. Smiling, Papa noted “Given your strength in character, I am confident you’ll manage to ‘hold your own’ and do quite well in the company of men.”

Papa continued, “Now, as to the power of possession, let me explain. You see it comes in many forms but key things to remember are dependence as well as supply and demand. But above all, knowing what value you put on that which you possess.”

Like my toys, Papa?

“Yes, and I too have valued the Mustang I have long been in possession of as well as seeing the joy it has given you. But all things and people we value have an end.”

I didn’t like where this was going. It sounded like someone saying goodbye.

Papa concluded, “In time, I will make the decision to supply the Mustang to another in exchange for a price I demand.”

Seeing my brave attempt to hold back my tears, his words resonated, “Learn this lesson well my Daughter. My Father, as his Father, taught me to treasure that which I possessed. But know the difference between man and machine. Treasuring one’s value as a person and family reigns above all else.  But in the end, know what and when to sell one’s material possessions.”

But Papa, I can work walking my neighbors’ pets and shovel snow! And I promise not to ask for more toys!  

“Ah, my princess, do not rob a King the pleasure of providing his family treasures of their own.” 

But Papa, I don’t need…

“My darling, King has spoken.”

Yes, Papa.

“Lety, my princess, you see, I am responsible for you, your brothers and your Mother, my Queen.”

As my warm tears raced down my face, my heart raced with ache.

Papa finally turned toward the map behind his desk. “Heed well one more important lesson. One I feel will continue to be with you when you reach my age.

Pointing east of the African continent, he noted, “Kings are responsible for their people, land and its possessions. Kings have long been in possession of many treasures but none as large in demand as oil. For many decades they have made the decision to supply oil in exchange for a price they demand. Like the King and his Palace, I am in possession and tied to the land upon which my home sits.  We Fathers and Kings understand the world we live in and take command.”

Understanding and accepting the near fate of our Mustang, I smiled. And what of the stranger, I asked. I told him many times that the Mustang was not for sale. Yet, he came back, again and again.

Papa replied, “We must always be vigilante. But know my princess that the strange man will come no more.”

Did you command him not to?

Papa responded, “No my Princess, you did. I am proud to say you know your rightful place in this Palace I provide for you.”

With a wink of his eye he replied, “Just know that I showed him another treasure whose firing power is matched only by the Mustang’s horsepower. No, he will come no more.”

Up until the last day I saw him, Papa proudly reminded me of how proud he was of me. He had that same twinkle in his eyes as the day he noted I had an admirer.

My memory pays me a visit again and again and again reminding me of our talk of our treasure. Now today, wishing to face Papa I’d say: You, I will keep and not let go. It is my command. I have spoken.

And like the child I was, I find myself wanting to bring Papa back to life like the Mustang’s starter by tapping him awaiting the sound of ignition and hearing Papa say Varooom! Varooom!

Remembering the King and I, in the sunset I see my Papa, Cowboy and his Mustang as I hear the words of a song…

“When there’s nothing to lose, there’s nothing to win

In a night without day, on a road without end, darling

Kings of the highway, we will be…“Darling, kings, of the highway, we will be

We will be” – Chris Isaak   

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Source: Musixmatch

Kings of the Highway lyrics © C. Isaak Music Publishing Co.