School Girl Irony
Sun-burst yellow, sleek, low slung, and built for speed, the jet of the roadways occupied the driveway poised for its first solo fight without a pilot. The pilot, grounded temporarily, stood close by disgusted with the entire situation.
I had failed my driver?s license test on my sixteenth birthday! I had waited on this day forever being the youngest member of my class with an August birthday. The traffic light changed in the middle of an intersection after the DPS Trooper instructed me to creep into the flow of traffic at a yellow light. Not being able to maneuver the car forward or backward, I heard the testing officer state under his breath that I had run a red light. Fighting back the urge to cry, I drove slowly back to the DPS office where my mother patiently waited. Feeling embarrassed and just plain angry, I watched my mother?s smile droop with the news from the trooper. Of course, my angelic mother reassured me that I could take the test again, but that wasn?t what I wanted to hear at that particular moment.
The drive home frustrated me more reliving the moment at every stoplight. I wanted to be home hidden from anyone who expected to see me out today soloing in my mother?s car. As we pulled into the driveway, this bright yellow, Corvette-looking automobile poised for action sat in the driveway. I wondered whom it belonged to as I left the confines of the car. Now to face Dad who thinks his daughter can do no wrong.
My dad and a stranger greeted us with enthusiasm as we stepped into the kitchen. Lots of birthday wishes and greetings led us to get to know each other quickly. My father explained that the man worked with my grandpa in Shreveport to order this car for my birthday! My car! My birthday!!! What and no license to drive it!!!
My mother related the devastating truth with me finally breaking down in tears. I realized I could only drive the car with my mother in tow! Not cool for a new sixteen year old who saw the big picture quite differently. I imagined the Hot Babe behind the wheel looking desirable and mysterious. I know that I should have been grateful for the car but image counted too.
Mom and I drove the stunning1970 Opel GT around town to all the places she wanted to be seen. She thoroughly enjoyed herself, and I relaxed enough to love the feel of the car under us like a rocket about to blast off. As we drove past the high school football team practicing in the August heat, I heard a friend call out my name to stop. Interrupting workouts, the team surrounded the car asking all kinds of questions and curious to try out the cockpit. My mother blossomed in the attention of the moment giving me a glimpse of her at my age. She was the Homecoming Queen again. Standing among the sweaty children of all her friends, we blissfully flirted and laughed making unforgettable memories together of that eventful day.
The car, the irony of the day, and my mother?s return to her youth fill my mind with unforgettable snapshots. I did eventually pass the test and develop an identity through that car. For my mother, the car was a time machine.
Neta Hayden Greene, Driscoll MS
Teacher as a Writer Academy
NEISD
June 12, 2002