The Impala Bear - Part 2So there's a bear in the Impala.. now what? The story of Tanzi's discovery continues and comes to a close in Part 2! (Didn't read the first part? Jump back to the previous story here) I stared at the little blue blob for a half a moment then instinctively reached down and plucked it off the floorboard. It was a small yet enormously filthy bear with years of junkyard living etched boldly into its slightly stiff fur. Turning it over, I found myself staring at a multi-colored, matted and dusty, but undeniable heart warming face. There is something about a teddy that is just magically uplifting, no matter the state it is in. And this bear seemed to match not only the color of its automobile apartment, but its sad state of abandonment as well. I couldn't save the car - but I could save its bear. Setting the bear up on the roof, I set about extracting the fender. When finished, a few bear-and-car photos were snapped, then off we went to the checkout window. Tucked safely into a tool bag, nobody noticed a little blue bear leaving the junkyard. It may have had something to do with the wholly destroyed rust-laden monstrosity of Impala fender being lugged through the exit by a person not much bigger than the purchased item. Plus, bears aren't listed in the price catalog. With the parts loaded and the truck pointed home, I slipped off my heavy jacket and laid it dirty side up on the backseat. Into the folds of the jacket went the bear. I couldn't bring myself to put it back on a vehicle floor but it was honestly one of the dirtiest little animals that ever rode in the backseat of the truck. Cleaning it would be a monumental task. After a day or two of the Impala bear hanging out with fellow junkyard alumni Craboo, I decided it was time to prepare the bath of all baths and get this little bear clean enough to socialize with other bears. A bucket, dish soap, antibacterial soap, fancy laundry soap, old toothbrushes and combs, a clean small towel... all these things were put to the test and the outcome was as awe-striking as any junkyard-to-gem restoration could be. This two-tone blue, rusty crusty bear was actually blue with a purple undercoat. It's matted fur was now sleek and soft. Paws, ears, and bow tie were returned to their bright turquoise resplendence. Like a true junkyard survivor, there are tell-tale signs of the past that will never be washed away, adding character and mystery to an already entrancing story. Rust stain flecks a few paws and all traces of identification tag are but gone. Had this bear discarded its identity and started a new life in the junkyard with its getaway car? We may never know. One thing was for certain, that this bear was getting a new name (and could therefore continue its life of secrecy). What do you call a bear of this sort of color who has been living in an Impala for an unthinkable amount of time? Tanzi. Short for Tanzanite, a gemstone that is known for its unique purple-blue color, discovered around the same time that this Chevrolet Impala rolled off the assembly line, shiny, new, and dazzling.
Sometimes you find what you are looking for, and sometimes what is looking for you finds you.
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Tales of Douglas Furr (and his friends)narrated by Crissy Clossin Archives
February 2024
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