In 2011, I purchased a new Audi Q5 and passed it down to Maya five years later. She named it Mishka. It is the car she learned to drive in even before her legs could reach the pedals. Sadly, Mishka fell ill last night while Maya drove to the River House. She was pronounced dead this morning after being towed to Maya’s mechanic. The autopsy revealed a total loss of compression, possibly caused by a broken heart (timing chain.) The cost of replacing the engine with a used one is more than the current value of the car so Maya decided to donate it to WBUR. Mishka lived a good life and was a strong and reliable companion who lived to the age of 150,000. She will be missed by all who felt the warmth of her heated seats and the embrace of her retractable seat belts. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to National Public Radio.

Maya has decided to start dating new cars immediately and is considering a new long-term relationship with either a Toyota or Subaru.