Driving home from the Halloween party and family reunion Brad and I had to stop for gas....
The gas station was one of the most poorly designed I've ever seen. The pumps were three in a row but the rows were so narrow that you could only drive through if the car in front or behind you left. Brad ran into the gas station to grab some coffee while I waited in the car with our snoozing boy. Initially he grabbed his keys but i asked him to leave them for me so it would be easier to move the car, because I wasnt quite sure where my keys were.
As I was listening to the music I heard the pump click that it was full so I jumped out to top it off and move the car out of the way for others. Well as I jumped out, the car alarm went off because it was locked so I quickly grabbed the keys and hit unlock before the alarm woke Jake. I quickly put the pump away and secured our gas cap and ran around to move the car, but realized the drivers door was locked. Unphased I ran back to the passenger door to unlock it and to my dismay I realized the passenger door was also locked. When I thought I hit unlock on the keys to stop the alarm I actually hit lock! Brad was still in the store and I was quickly understanding the importance of the situation...our car was locked with both of our keys, our cell phones, and most importantly JAKE in it!
I remembered that we have OnStar but didnt have the number to call without my phone and the cashier inside was very busy. Brad ran inside to figure something out while I stood guard outside by Jake. About that time a family drove up in a Buick and I asked him if he had OnStar on his car hoping I could call from his phone. He initially said he wasnt sure as it was a rental, but then a few minutes later came back and said he realized the car did have OnStar. I ran over and frantically explained the situation to the OnsStar lady. She was very nice but explained that calling from another vehicle allows them to unlock that vehicle but otherwise they want you to call from a land line because it will take longer. She collected all my information and told me it would take a few minutes...
While I was outside, Brad was inside doing his best to figure out what we could do. He found a pay phone but had no change. He called the operator asking for the number for OnStar and they told him that requires a subscription to 411, which we obviously dont have. After he quickly and very directly explained that our toddler was locked in our car and we needed that number to get him out she reluctantly agreed to give him the OnStar number and even transferred him.
So we were both the phone with OnStar at about the same time and FINALLY got the car unlocked so we could get to our sweet boy. All the while he never even knew what happened because he was sleeping soundly. Thank the lord.
The entire experience probably lasted a total of 15 minutes or so, but it seemed like an eternity. We were very lucky it was not one of those 100+ degree days. Although, Brad said if it were he already had a plan for which window he was going to break. Those 15 minutes were probably the most scary of my life and needless to say Brad did NOT need the coffee anymore by the time we were settled back in the car and on the road.
I absolutely realized the value of OnStar service that day and we will not be cancelling it ANY time soon!
