The drive | Teen Ink

The drive

February 26, 2015
By Malakuy45 BRONZE, Auburn, New York
Malakuy45 BRONZE, Auburn, New York
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

Favorite Quote:
"To be honest, if you were to slit my throat, with my last dieing, gasping breath, I'd apologize for bleeding on your shirt"


An experience that I've had, and learned something from is my first time driving a car. It was summertime at night, and I was sitting at my mother's watching T.V.  All of a sudden, my stepdad walked in and said he needed to run to the store for some milk. While being in my current state of boredom, I sprung up out of my seat and shouted "Can I come?!"  To which he replied, " I'm only going for a jug o' milk, but sure. Why not." Normally I wouldn't get this excited about sitting in a car while my step dad drives two blocks down the road, but it was summer vacation and I hadn't been out of the house in a week, and I thought I deserved a little fresh air. I ran to my room grabbed my jacket, slipped on my flip flops, and ran out to the car.
   

I watched as my stepdad put the key in and turned it in order to ignite the engine.Then I thought about how driving a car is like operating a machine, and that it doesn't seem to be too terribly difficult. I was awakened from my thoughts by the startling sound of the driver’s seat door slamming shut. I looked over to see my stepdad walking into 7-11. I then saw the keys left jingling in the ignition. I was so tempted. My mind was clouded with thoughts about driving. Then I thought, "This is it, this is my chance." The pressure built up inside of me and I quickly hopped onto the center console and scooted into the driver's seat. Not thinking about how long my stepdad would be gone, I turned the key.
    

First, the lights came on. Then with a little extra force, the engine started. I felt a burst of adrenaline rush through me. While gripping the steering wheel tight enough to cut off the circulation in my fingers, I shifted the car into the drive mode with my foot on the brake. Then, I let go of the brake and ever so gently pressed on the gas. Apparently I didn't press quite gently enough because that led to the car flying forward and hitting the concrete bumper in the parking lot. I thought "Okay, something's not right." I looked at the shifter again and I then realized that there was a reverse option. I went to shift the gear again, when I was startled by my stepdad jumping into the passenger's seat. A strong feeling of guilt fell over me. I began to apologize. Then he said "Listen, if you're driving, then let's go."
   

I was surprised at how calm, and not furious my stepdad was with it. He mentored me out of the parking lot and with some bumps and swivels, I actually made it home. But that's not the end of the story...
   

We had a very steep driveway and as I pressed on the gas, trying to pull in, we rolled down it. My stepdad said "Just floor it really quickly to get up there". I slammed my foot down on the gas pedal and the car flung up and smashed into the neighbors fence. The fence fell over slowly and pretty quietly. My stepdad said, " It's okay, I do it all the time." He got out and stood next to the fence and waved his hand, signaling me to back out a little. So I did, still gripping the steering wheel so tight that my handprints were left in it. He picked up the six foot section of the fence and leaned it on a miscellaneous two by four. It was a sloppy fix, but at least we had one.  I got out of the car and noticed that I was shaking all over with nervous excitement. Three steps away from having a panic attack, I had to sit down and recuperate. I was extremely overwhelmed.
    

Looking back at this experience, I guess I could say I learned that driving a car is not as easy as it looks, but it is most definitely as thrilling as it seems.
  



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