Melvin stood outside in front of the Planet entrance waiting for Kit to join him when a valet driver pulled up to the curb in a classic Cadillac Coupe Deville. The red exterior, chrome bumpers and white wall tires glistened so brightly in the sun that Melvin was glad to be wearing his polarizing sunglasses. The convertible top was down which gave him full view of the immaculately preserved white leather seats, dashboard and instruments.

Melvin was taken back in time to the day he’d driven into a Cadillac dealership two weeks after Shirley announced that she was pregnant. Most men traded their sports cars for station wagons or vans when they started their families but not Melvin. He was a 29-year-old ambitious lawyer climbing up the ranks. The wife and kid was part of the image he had to portray to be considered for partner but he wasn’t about to become a suburban dad. That day he traded his hard top 4 door model for a brand new red 1963 Cadillac Coupe Deville convertible.

As he marveled at the mint condition of the 52-year-old car, that was an exact replica of the one he owned Melvin got lost in the memory of the beautiful Spring day in 1964 when he’d picked up Shirley at the hospital two days after she’d given birth to Katy. He remembered his anticipation and excitement when he pulled the car up to the hospital entrance just as his wife was wheeled out with the baby on her lap tightly wrapped in a pink blanket. The new mom was accompanied by the attendant pushing the wheelchair and the nurse carrying Shirley’s overnight bag and several items that she’d received for the baby.

Melvin jumped out of the car and opened the trunk asking the young man to store the items while he went around to the passenger side and opened the door for Shirley. The nurse held the baby while Melvin helped his wife settle in the front seat. He fastened her seat belt then turned to the nurse who handed him the baby. He held the little bundle in one hand and used the other to move the blanket aside so he could see the face of his little angel. She’d awoken from being moved from hand to hand. Kit smiled at her father and fluttered her long lashes before closing her eyes and going back to sleep. He gently laid her in Shirley’s lap and closed the passenger door. He thanked the hospital workers then got into the driver’s side to take his family home.