The Radio in the Toyota Camery.

The Adventures of the Hess Boys. Vol 1.


In 1989 my family traded in our old Toyota van, and bought a 1989 Toyota Camry from Larry H. Miller Toyota. It was maroon, and it was a new. Not the same "new" that we had had before where a Protestant family from Vernal had traded in their 1984 Oldsmobile station wagon, but brand new. I think it had 32 miles on it when we took it for our test drive. My dad loved this car. He had been promoted to a management position at his work, and I think my parents thought of this car has his reward. My dad was and is a very hard worker. My brothers and I were disappointed that we would not have our gray van anymore. In all honesty, I think we were a little embarrassed by the Pontiac station wagon we would now be chauffeured around Weber County in.

My dad loved his car. I think he felt like he had finally made it by driving his new car. Soon after the car was purchased, my dad was transferred to Salt Lake City, and so began the commuting years for my dad. They lasted for over 10 years. My dad's alarm clock would go off Monday thru Friday at 5:20 am. He would hop in the shower, eat a quick breakfast, and be out the door by 6:00 am to ensure his arrival at West Valley UPS Hub by 7:00 am. My dad would work hard all day, and try to be home between 6:45 and 7:30. I remember that the first thing my parents would do was kiss each other in the entry way. Being a child I thought this was yucky and I hated it. Now looking back I miss it more than words can tell. . . But I digress.

The Radio. My dad's new 1989 Toyota Camry came with an amazing stereo. My brothers and I loved this stereo. One day, the five of us were sitting in the Camry to church. And the idea struck. That night, after everyone had gone to bed, I snuck down to the garage, turned the car on, but did not start the transmission. With my left index finger firmly planted in my left ear, I turned the radio on as loud as it would with my right hand, and turned off the car. Laughing up the two stairs to the kitchen for the garage, I placed the Camry keys back on the kitchen counter where I found them minutes before. I chucked too myself all the way up to my bed room. It took me almost an hour to fall asleep. I eventually did fall asleep, and morning came. I waited in anticipation all day for my dad to return that night. 6:00, 6:23, 6:48, and finally at 7:05 my dad walked in the door, kissed my mom, and went about his regular evening routine.

Ugh! I was so disappointed. I thought for sure he would have found this as hilarious as I did. Never being one to back down from a battle, I set up my game plan to repeat my ingenious joke. I waited for a little over two weeks. And followed the same routine as I had before. That night, nothing. That was it. THIS WAS WAR! The next Friday morning, I repeated my devious plan. I tip toed up the stairs, and forced my self to go to sleep.

Later that morning, I woke up to my dad sneezing his head off and coughing every 8 to 12 seconds. My dad had a wicked cold. He did not go to work that day. That weekend was pretty uneventful. Dad was sick, mom was sick of dad being sick, and the Hess boys were out making havoc for the neighborhood. Sunday morning came, and we were all drawn to the call of the church organ. Dad had decided that he was well enough to go to church. We all go into the garage and my dad walked to the Camry. I'd had such a great weekend, I totally forgot about the status of the radio. My dad sat in the drivers seat, my mom in the passengers. Breaking from tradition, I sat in the middle seat with Adam behind my mom, and Jared behind my Dad. The last open door had slammed shut, and my dad reached for the ignition. The car turned over quickly as Garth Brooks came screaming over the stereo. I'd never seen such a sight. My father hit his head on top of the car he jumped so high. My mother's carefully planned primary lesson went flying into the windshield. Adam's arm flew across the car and hit me in the stomach, and Jared looked on the verge of tears.

The Hess family sat in the Toyota in shock for almost a full minute. I carefully scanned the faces of my family. I thought it was hilarious. My brothers seemed amused, and my parents faces were totally blank. Then my dad put the car in reverse, and off we went.

This still makes me laugh to this day.