Driving Lessons WC 256

Driving Lessons
WC 256

I was on my way to town in my mother’s 1954 stick shift Dodge sedan; she had decided to take the bus to work. I didn’t know how to drive 'stick' and I was only twelve years old but other than that…

Somehow, I found myself on Main Street and pulled into a parking space in front of Madigan’s Dry Goods. I entered the store on wobbly legs.

“Jackie, you are all flushed,” Mrs. Madigan said. “Where’s your mother?”

Well, I made up some lame story, left the store without shopping, and slid into the dreaded driver’s seat.

I backed out onto the street and found my way home. Don’t ask…it was a blur then and it is now, all these years later.

I pulled up in front of our house, the clutch slipped, and the Dodge jumped up onto the curb and died. I ran into the house and threw up.

I was trying to think of a good story when I heard the back door open.

“Jackie, I know what you did!” my mother said.

“You can’t prove anything!” I was ready to say, but then I remembered Mrs. Madigan.

I regrouped.

“What did I do?” I asked instead.

“Mrs. Bartosek peeked out her kitchen window and saw you, young lady!”

My life flashed before me.

“You shouldn’t play in the car. You could have gotten hurt turning it on like that and pretending to drive.” Mother said. “Promise me you will never do that again!”

I promised, and I didn’t cross my fingers.