When asked to write about a family legend, I had to take a lot of time to figure out one to write. I then realized that there is one story, which in my mind stood out. Not because of its utter hilarity, but because it involves both my family and my friends. And when a story triggers a statement of “Remember that time Ashley puked in the car?”, every time this group gets together—it just needs to be told. Reader discretion is advised.

Living in the small town of Antigonish, Nova Scotia means having to find many creative ways to entertain yourself the best you can. When the creative juices are stagnant, nothing beats packing the car with friends and heading out for a 45 minute drive to New Glasgow. While New Glasgow and Antigonish are similar in that they are both relatively small towns, they differ in the sense that New Glasgow has much more to offer in the department of movie theatres and shopping outlets. So it is always a destination of choice based on its closeness, and the entertainment it provides.

It was early December, and the perfect day to head to New Glasgow for some shopping and a movie. At the time, I hadn’t gotten my driver’s license yet, so I did what every 17 year old would do in that situation: beg my mother to drive us. So I did, and it worked. My mom, my two friends Andrea and Ashley and I enjoyed a full day of shopping and a movie. Once we were done at the movie, we all realized we had a hardcore hankering for some Dairy Queen. We pulled up at the drive-through and ordered some delicious ice cream treats. Andrea, Ashley and I decided it was time to try the newest treat on the DQ menu— frozen hot chocolates. Sounds yummy, but you wait.

By this time, it was dark and it was time to head home. Anyone who has ever driven past New Glasgow towards Antigonish, you can’t miss the sight of a luxurious mansion about 10 minutes past the town. Since it was close to Christmas, we got excited to see this beautiful house all lit up. As usual, and since this was before the time of iPods, I had one of my signature mix CD’s blaring in the car. As the funky beats of Cornershop’s “Brimful of Asha” began to pump, we all were still sipping on your yummy frozen hot chocolates while enjoying the quirkiness of this particular song. Until that lyric; the lyric that started it all. The lyric, that from now on when heard will only bring back this memory.

“Everyone needs a bosom for a pillow, everyone needs a bosom”
Yeah. I know. I guess you’d have to listen to the song to truly appreciate that line.

These lyrics did not make much sense to my mother, so she felt the need to state her confusion out loud.

“A BOSOM? FOR A PILLOW?” my mom practically yelled with a shrieking tone of confusion her voice.

It must have been how my mother said it that triggered a laughing fit amongst Andrea, Ashley and I. I’m talking full on, tummy aching laughter. Laughter that was so extreme that Ashley began to have a coughing fit over it. Well laughter led to coughs, and coughs led to something else.

Lets just say that the frozen hot chocolate didn’t stay with her too long, as she started to cough so hard that she actually started to throw up. Andrea and I were laughing so hard but it quickly changed to concern for Ashley. All this just so happen to have happened while passing the mansion that was lit up with Christmas lights. And in the midst of all the noise and chaos my mother—not fully aware of what commotion was happening in the back seat, managed to yell out “But look at the lights!”. My mother’s moment of comic relief only made us laugh even harder.

Soon enough we made our way to a close by gas station to clean up the mess. Thankfully enough Ashley was a great sport, and managed to laugh at herself afterward. Puking happens all the time, but it was the combination of everything that had caused it that will forever engrave it in our minds.

Ashley missed seeing the lights, but this story will go down in history as the best (or worst) trip home from New Glassgow. And let’s just say that Ashley is sure to not hear the end of this story, as it will surely be one of many told on her wedding day.

Labels: ashley, legend, new glassgow, vommit