The Driving Lesson

“Before your driving lesson, now take it slow on the speed and gentle on the brake, Claire.”

“Mom, I have been driving before this, I have practised without incident, even on the road.”

“Do you know what you are doing, or just acting like it, like the almost accident from before?”

“The car came out of nowhere, and it was their fault.”

“The car clearly had its signal on, and you were too interested in your phone to notice.”

“Whatever, it is not like I actually hit them.”

“That time nothing happened, but it does not mean that it will not in the future.”

“I will be fine, and let us get this practice in today.”

“Now always watch your rear-view mirror to back out slowly.”

“The street hardly has traffic, and the faster the better.”

“Caution is your friend and will keep you from tickets and high insurance.”

“Whatever you say, since all you seem to be so scared of what other drivers are doing.”

“You never know what can happen next, and caution can save your life.”

“I am carefully backing out, looking where my car is turning.”

“Car is coming, car is coming, stop!”

“Again, it came out of nowhere, and I even saw it.”

“You were still moving and not paying attention to what was behind you.”

“Why do you always assume that I am not paying attention? When have I not focused on the important?”

“You mean like you're missing school assignments and unfinished chores?”

“None of that is important, and I will earn so much money after becoming famous that I will not need anything from anyone.”

“Good luck with all of that with no work ethic, and back up slowly this time and pay attention to the road.”

“Fine, I am looking backwards at the road, and now you are happy.”

“See, now we can go on this driving lesson with a little less attitude.”

“What attitude with some old person trying to be useful?”

“I see you feel you are ready for anything, but experience takes time in your life, and there is a seriousness in driving.”

“The music is not on, and why is the Bluetooth not working?”

“You have to learn without distraction before you have that privilege.”

“You are so uncool and annoying, unlike my friend’s parents.”

“I need to pay attention to the road and hit any parked cars instead of worrying about what is cool for now.”

“Your annoying rules might make me crash because of the warning you keep giving.”

“If you drive straight ahead and follow the traffic rules, I would say nothing.”

“I am driving fine if you just trust me a little.”

“Trust will be given once you pass the driving test and have some experience completed.”

“Fine, I am paying attention if you just let me drive instead of saying I am doing everything wrong.”

“Stop the car, it's coming out of their driveway right in front of you.”

“Cars keep coming out of nowhere, and you defend them.”

“They are not coming out of nowhere, and you can see them if you focus on the road more than anything else.”

“I just want to jam and have my independence from a nagging mother.”

“Then show your father and me that you are responsible and not all about the status.”

“I am now turning onto the city street, and look, I was not hit.”

“Just pay attention and do not follow too close to the next car.”

“Even if they are going way too slow for the speed limit.”

“The real speed limit or your personal wanting to speed.”

“They all go too slow, and riding them will make them go faster.”

“Until one stops short, then you will hit their car with no space to stop.”

“As that will ever happen, and all you are is paranoid.”

“I am trying to teach you to be a good driver so you can avoid accidents.”

“Driving is enjoyable with my independence to travel wherever I want.”

“As long as you are not paying for the car, repairs, and insurance, it can be.”

“I am going to be a famous internet star and afford it all.”

“Along with the rest of your generation, now pay attention to the road since the turn to the store is coming.”

“I know that and will turn faster than you.”

“Make sure you have the clearance before you run into anyone.”

“There is always room for the turn.”

“Stop, there is a car in front of you, try not to hit it, stop!”

“It cannot be my fault; they should have been moving.”

“Now you will have real consequences for adult actions. The next step is giving your information to the other driver. You will need your permit, registration, and insurance card.”

“Why do the cars suddenly appear out of nowhere?”

“You have to be aware of everything going on around you, especially in a car.”

“The cops are here too, and I do not want to go to jail.”

“You need to pull yourself together and give the information to the cop and the other driver.”

“My life is over, and this should have never happened.”

“You will just get a ticket when you go out there, and I need to call your father.”

“Fine, I will go out there alone to my ruined life.”

“Everybody makes mistakes on the road like accidents; the best we can do is learn from those experiences, through maturity, eventually becoming a responsible driver.”

“To my last hope of freedom, here I go.”

“Come on, the drama is not needed, but you will have to learn this hard lesson at some point.”

“I am going out then, despite the horrible circumstance.”

“I will be right beside you, too. Let's go.”

“Maybe driving is more complicated than I expected, but now for my consequence.”