the old days

i was driving the boys to swimming the other day and you know...driving along.  i was following this old time white ford pickup truck.  i noticed myself focusing on the details of the tailgate.  how wide the window was in the cab.  looking at the chrome on the side mirrors.  and then i felt this surging wave of nostalgia.  i was literally choked up.  i was looking at the old man driving.  he had his right hand on the wheel just so you could see the end of his short sleeve right above his knobby elbow.  big hand on the wheel.  he was wearing a pressed shirt with a starched collar that met his hair line.  cut close and graying, you could almost sense that it had been freshly combed.  he had his left arm completely leaning out the window supporting his almost perfect posture. i wondered what it smelled like in the cab of that old man's truck.  aftershave, cigarette smoke or motor oil?  what did the seats feel like?  i kept thinking if i looked hard enough i would see him turn to smile at the skinnylittlebrownhairedgirl sitting next to him smiling right back.