Just a fun little story...

+++++

“I know we set aside that money for our anniversary next month, but...”

“No but,” Jack said, wrapping his better half in his arms, something he never grew tired of doing after nearly eighteen years of marriage. “I’ve already planned that weekend.”

“Amber is sixteen, Jack”, his stubborn wife persisted. “She needs a good instructor.”

“I’m perfectly capable of teaching our children the fine art of driving,” and he captured her lips before she uttered another objection.

“I’m ready, dad,” yelled his oldest child as she barged in the kitchen. “You...” She rolled her dark brown eyes at her parents. “I’ll be in the car for when you’re done doing... whatever.”

Feeling Jack’s chest rumble from laughter, Sue murmured into the kiss. “What’s so funny?”

He reluctantly pulled away. “Amber’s waiting for me. We’ll be back before you know it.”

Having first hand knowledge of her only daughter’s driving skills, Sue shuddered at the prediction.

Very fun and real start, Marlene! Glad you've thrown your hat in the ring.

Oh Boy! Oh Boy! Oh Boy! A Marlo story!!!!!!! Can you tell I'm excited!

Kim

Marlene has started a new challenge story!

And Jack attempting to teach his 16 year old daughter to drive?

This is going to be good!

I have three 16 year old granddaughters who are begging their parents (and me) to teach them to drive! Why do I have this feeling I will need to use your story as a training manual....of what NOT to do!

Can't wait for the "Emergency!"

Lynn

A new challenge story from marlene fantastic start
poor jack with his daughter wonder how hes going to take to his daughters driving lessons cant wait for more
Lin

Oh no! A new driver in the family! AHHH I am going through the same thing with my little sister.

One word, Jackie---> SEATBELTS!

Loved it! Cant wait for more!

Personally I don't think father's and driving lessons to daughters in neccesarily a good mix. But it might just make a funny story --- what am I saying? Of course it will -- Marlene's writing it!

kav

This brings back memories of my dad teaching me to drive. We both managed to survive, but not without a few hurt feelings along the way. This looks like it will be great fun.

I think I'm with Sue...

I'm not sure Sparky should be teaching anyone how to drive.... Although it's probably a lot better then having Uncle Crash teach her....

Love the start Marlo. This should be exciting or should I be more concerned with the title Teaching teens to drive, now that is when I really knew I had 5 kids, all teens at the same time. Come to think of it, how come I got that job???

Shooting baskets in the driveway, Robbie gave his dad a dubious look when he headed for the passenger door.

“Dad, aren’t you forgetting something?” he quipped.

“I have the keys,” said Amber, jiggling them in front of her two brothers.

“Rob was talking about dad’s gun to shoot the cars out of your way,” teased Sam.

“You’re so walking when I get my license,” she threatened.

Jack shook his head. “Amber, in the car. Boys, the lawn needs mowing.”

The start of the engine covered his sons’ complaints.

“First, you need to adjust...”

“Mirrors. I know,” she said with confidence. “Mom reminds me every time we go for a ride.”

He watched her make the adjustment with pride. His little girl had turned into a beautiful young woman, a perfect image of her mother.

“Dad, buckle up.”

He obeyed and gave her the signal to merge into the residential street. As soon as she stepped on the accelerator, his seatbelt choked him.

“Ooops,” she blushed. “Sorry.”

He forced a deep breath into his lung. “Just go easy on the gas pedal, honey... yah, that’s it. Slow and steady.”

He looked at the speedometer. Only 20 miles per hour? Why did it feel like fifty?

“I should go faster, shouldn’t I?”

“No! No, twenty’s good, and there’s a... stoooooop.”

He was grateful for the seatbelt bruising his chest. It prevented his head from adding a much bigger crack to the windshield.

“Mom says I need to work on my stop a little bit.”

A little bit? Your mother is highly under-exaggerating, he thought, wondering if he should have been carrying his heart medication with him.

“Driving is so not...”

“Left!” he yelled as he reached for the steering wheel.

The small car swayed in the empty opposite lane.

“Dad!” she shrieked, offended by his interference. “There could have been a car coming.”

“Didn’t you see the one parked in the street?”

She growled at him. “Course I did. I’m not blind. I had plenty of room.”

Yah, about an inch before you scrapped the entire coat of paint on both cars, he almost shouted.

“It was closer than you think, honey. Just allow for more space next time, would you?”

She shrugged. “Mom doesn’t touch my wheel.”

“Honey, your mother...”

He gasped and grabbed the door handle when she took a right turn without decelerating.

“Mom taught me how to stay in my line when I turn,” she said, pleased with her accomplishment.

She obviously forgot to teach you how to slow down, he thought, his heart hammering in his chest.

“I’m sure the motorist we nearly missed appreciate,” he muttered under his breath, the image of the old gentleman waiting at the stop sign with his eyes popping out of his skull at the upcoming car still haunting him.

“Dad, do you think I have time to pass?”

Jack’s eyes widened in panic at the sight of the yellow light turning red and his daughter driving right through it.

“Amber!”

“Why didn’t you tell me I didn’t have time?” she accused.

Relax, Jack, relax, he told himself. Deep breath. Your knuckles are turning white. Loosen your grip on the armrest. Don’t say anything you’ll regret.

“Honey, by the time you asked it was too late to stop. If you don’t think you have time, then stop,” he explained with all the patience he could muster.

“Are you mad?” she sniffled.

“No, I’m not mad, honey. You’re learning,” he said, softening his voice further.

“You think I’m a bad driver, don’t you?”

“No. You’re good... much better than I was the first time your grandfather took me out,” he lied.

“Really?” she squealed in delight. “Thank you, dad!”

Poor Jack! I remember those days. It was my dad that taught me, too. First I mastered a car with an automatic transmission. Then, he tried to teach me to drive one with a manual transmission. After sitting through six changes of a red light one night, (it took that many times before I could get my foot off the brake and the clutch and onto the gas without the engine going dead) he gave up

Marlo, this is wonderful!

Kim

Marlene

Have to echo Kim...this is wonderful! I have this vision in my head of Jack thinking one thing and saying another! Very entertaining way to write the story! I'm so glad Jack didn't voice his thoughts. It would have devastated Amber! I know from experience!

One time when I was 15, my dad was riding with me, just like Jack and Amber. The car was a 49 Chevy, stick shift of course. We lived in the country, in an old farmhouse, which had a very long single lane driveway with a tree on either side of the driveway entrance. There were ditches on both sides of the road, probably 3-4 feet deep.

Just as I went to slow down to make a left turn into the driveway, my dad yelled at me to slow down. I got so flustered I stepped on the clutch instead of the brake, but went ahead and turned anyway, full speed ahead, exactly like Amber did in your story. I couldn't quite make a 90 degree turn and ended up hitting the tree on the right side of the driveway. (Hey, at least I didn't end up in the ditch!) That was before seat belts, too.

I wasn't going very fast, so it didn't do much damage to either the car, the tree or us; but, boy, did I ever get a lecture. Does anyone remember lectures? They went on and on and on and on! I remember crying, probably more from the lecture, but I suppose it could have been from shock too!

I don't remember my dad ever riding with me again. Of course, now the story gets told at every family reunion and my dad and brothers tease me mercilessly and, of course, tell it differently. But, I will never forget that moment. It was very traumatic for me at the time!

Lynn

i howled with laughter at jack sitting in the car, it brought back painful memories of teaching both my kids to drive in the absence of either dad or step dad.

great idea marlo

cath

I honestly wasn't that bad when I learned to drive.... of course that could be because I waited until I was 19 to learn (the road scared me and if you've ever driven in, through, or around Pennsylvania you'd know why).

And poor Jack... he probably should have brought his medication with him.

poor jack Now I know why my dad always said it was safer
me and my sister went by public transport or he would pay for a cab than
teach either of us to drive, men are not very nice to us ladys but sue did try
and warn jack even the boys did but it was so sweet of him telling amber that l
little white lie really sweet more soon please pretty please
Lin

I love the comparisons between the conversation he's having in his head and the one he's having with his daughter. She does have him wrapped around her little finger, doesn't she? But you have me a bit concerned over the whole thing squealing thing. I mean, usually when you squeal with delight, your eyes are shut....

kav

This is a fabulous story. I can feel for Jack, I don't think I'd ever have the nerve to teach anyone to drive. I still get nervous when I take my parents out now and I've been passed my driving test over fourteen years...

I'm looking forward to more.

Sairs

You have me in stiches; laughing so hard my sides ache. Poor Jack. He is trying so hard to teach his daughter without hurting her feeling.

THREE MONTHS LATER

Sitting on the backseat with Jack, Sue squeezed his hand.

“Relax,” she murmured to his ear, her lips softly brushing his lobe. He shivered in anticipation of the night they would be spending alone. “Amber improved a lot.”

He wrapped his arm around his wife’s shoulders. Those expensive driver lessons were worth every dollar, he acknowledged, even though it had meant canceling their weekend at the luxurious resort and postponing their anniversary. He wished he could have been able to afford both, but over the years they had been forced to make sacrifices, emergencies taking precedence, so Sue could stay home with their children.

“She looks very professional with her chauffeur hat,” he praised loud enough for Amber to hear, and in the rearview mirror he caught the reflection of his smiling daughter.

‘Here you are, Mr. and Mrs. Hudson,’ she signed to her parents before exiting to open the door for them.

Sue gazed at the small rustic cabin and the shimmering blue lake. “This is so perfect, Jack.”

“I’ll be back in two days, I’ll be careful and I won’t fight with the boys,” Amber recited. “Have fun!”

They waved at the retreating vehicle, before walking hand in hand to the small cabin. Sue gasped in surprise at the bouquet on the table.

Mom, Dad
Happy Belated Anniversary
Love
Samuel, Robert and Amber

~~~FIN~~~



Thanks for reading ! And I'm glad if I made you laugh !!!

Word count= 1,000 exactly.

fantastic from start to finish pleased amber passed
and loved what the kids did for jack and sue loved it
Lin

Marlene

This was a little jewel! Lots of laughs, and proud, tender moments there at the end. So sweet of their children to get them the cabin for the weekend. It's memories like that we all wish for! And the way you created the incident and then went right to the anniversary of it was very creative and enchanting! Thank you for sharing this wonderful small glimpse into Jack and Sue's future!

Lynn

There was only one problem with that story, Marlo. It was over much, much too soon!

Seriously, it was absolutely wonderful!

Kim

Well, you made me laugh. Thank you, Marlo! I needed it.
I remember those days. I was terrified by the car. I was absolutely sure that the car was the boss, not me! I had three very different instructors: my mother, my father and my brother. My poor dad, however has been the one suffering the most. He taught me the basics and I still remember his expression when the car started to cough and shudder and bounce... in more occasions that I care to admit.

Ornella

Jack conceded defeat, did he? But this was way too short, Marlene...I mean, surely you have something else up your sleeve and it would keep you out of trouble.

kav

Yay! This was great!!

Aw, Jack and Sue have sweet kids.

So was this based on personal experience in teaching a teenager to drive?

cute ending, glad they still got to have some time away

cath

Hi Marlo!

What a sweet, cute, fantastic, funny story!!!!

I'm so happy that you write in this Challenge, but at the same time I'm sad because your story is too short , but well Is better than don't read your stories,

So Congratulations!!

Tere

As least his fears are put to rest. I mean, I kid is a bit over-zealous when they first get behind the wheel of a car, so he had the right to squirm in his seat. I still think he remained cool and calm for the first child to be learning. Now, what's he going to be like when the boys start to learn!

Hee-hee... that thought makes me laugh. I picture a helmet and safety gear all the way!

A teenager? Make it THREE teenagers!!! And don't let the story fool you... it's far WORSE than it sounds

I know this was short, and I'm working on something longer. Once my life slows down in the weeks to come, I'll be back in WIP with a new story.

Thank you for your continuous support. You're all great

Marlene

Great story Marlene!

I can't wait to see you over in WIP

Em

Marlene that was awesome...I never so hard in my life. I guess this is something that I get to look forward to when my girls are older.

This was great! I must admit we had no problems teaching our two teen age daughter's to drive. A few harrowing moments with other crazy drivers or a little slow on a reflex but all in all it was pretty painless. After laughing and reading this story I really appreciate how our situation turned out.
thanks so much,
Terie

You nailed that one! I'd op for the professional lessons, too!!!

Great job!

Jill

I'm sad it was over so quickly. I think it's sweet thar after 18 years of marriage, Jack and Sue still celebrate there anniversary by going out somewhere just the two of them.

When you say short - you mean short, don't you!

I was just settling back to read and it was over.

I commend you for the 1000 words - truly a challenge well done.

Marlo that was great!! My sis has just passed her driving test, albeit a few attempts later. Now, I'm scared as she'll have my car and I'll be the passenger on occasions....I've got a feeling I'm going to do a "Jack" squinting and puting my hand over my eyes" thinking I wouldn't have gone then, I would have stopped then.,....oohhh shucks, I've got a feeling when I'm in the car with her I'm gonna want to drive.....sorry sis!!! (I don't mean your a bad driver or anything, but I'm a bad back seat driver!!!!)

Those 3 children should be included in your next story I think....and congrats, in the word limit and brilliant to read!!!

Oh, Marlene, that was delightful! I can so relate to the "experiences" they had in teaching her to drive. And here Jack thought fighting terrorists was bad! Loved the ending, too. It shows the kind of children they've raised that want to give back to them.

Lovely story. I am presently in the process of teaching my 16 year old daughter how to drive, so I can relate. I am beginning to think that driving lessons would be good. I have only torn out about half of the hairs on my head!!!

Lauren

That was a great story.

Sairs

This is delightful, Marlo!! I can just see Jack trying to calm himself!! I do believe that the money was well spent paying for driving lessons for Amber!! It kept Jack out of the hospital!!!

Thanks for sharing!! Also, congratulations on 1,000 words!! I can't wait for the promised story!!!

Joy

that was to funny. i could so picture jack doing that. but i'm glad they chose a instructeur in stead. or else she would have been a disaster on the road

I could clearly pictured the shock of Jack's face when he was trying to teach his daughter ...that reminded me when I learned to drive...gosh...I think I almost gave a heart attack to my hubby -

This story hits close to home for me. NO, I'm not a parent I AM the crazy teenage driver. As embarassing as it is to admit, my dad was tarrified when I first drove. I was pretty bad, maybe I still am. But, all I know is this story was funny and cute. Loved it!

That was delightful, I enjoyed reading it

Wedding! wedding! wedding! awesome job!

LOL, My godson just recently started driving I took him out once when we finally got home I told my brother that he had to finish teaching him to drive. It was almost as bad as when my father took me out driving for the first and only time, after that he made his best friend get the driver for his racing team to teach me how to drive. LOL it was bad and paybacks

Loved it
Dianna