MARROWSTONE ISLAND — Jake Johnson spent months planning a big surprise party for his father’s 87th birthday.
He also spent thousands of dollars on the perfect gift for his father, who likes cars.
But when the birthday present rolled up in front of Carl Johnson at the surprise party on Saturday, he uttered the words no gift giver wants to hear:
“I’ve got one just like it,” Carl said.
Fortunately, the gift — a restored 1930 Model A — was the one that Carl had purchased four years ago and then stored, half-assembled, in a shed.
On Saturday, with Jake watching, Carl’s friend, Joe Noel, with Carl’s daughter Lisa Moore on board, drove up in the car and presented it to Carl, who thought it was still in the shed under a tarp.
“I never even missed it,” Carl said.
