Day 40: Car Keys

Write about someone getting their driver’s license for the first time.

I failed my first driver's test. I was so distraught when it happened. My father was so mad at me. I felt embarrassed by it but I was determined to pass it the second time. I had my own car and when I was driving through the streets of Garfield Heights with my windows down, I felt so free, so adult.

The second time I took the test, I was prepared to follow every single road law to the T. I passed the written with flying colors the first time. It was the practical that I fucked up. I rolled through a stop sign 😩 The instructor was like "Well, you just failed. Might as well go back now." I wanted to cry. But the second time? I killed it. Even the parallel parking, orange cone portion. I think that's the only time in my life I have successfully parallel parked.

When I finally got my license, I drove my friends around all the time. They needed a ride? I was there. That feeling of finally having my driver's license was amazing. I was graduating high school and heading off to college so of course, I was riding high.

Sometimes I miss that feeling. 11 years later and I absolutely hate driving now. It gives me anxiety and road rage and those are not great combinations. Some things are just better when they happen the first time, nothing else after quite measures up.