SCOUT
“You’re getting a car?I can help you get a hell of a deal. Mick’s dad owns a dealership.”
“I wouldn’t know where to start at a dealership. I was just going to check the newspaper. Plus, I doubt I have that kind of money,” I told Desi.
“Nonsense. We’ll get you something that is going to last. What were you thinking?” Desi glanced at me from the driver’s side. He was taking me home after my moonlight Journey concert. “Don’t Stop Believing” was still playing in my head.
“I don’t know. I just need something that will get me to and from work. Oh, and I need to get a license.”
Desi stomped on the brakes, causing us to slide on the icy roads. I let out a scream but he quickly righted himself. “Sorry. Scout, you can’t drive?”
“I can drive,” I defended. “Just… not legally.”
He swore and shook his head. “Scout, do you drive a lot?”
“No, I haven’t driven in a few years.”
“Okay, well, why don’t we start with that, and then get you a car?”
“I can get a car without having a license.”
“Yes, but you can’t drive it.”
“Well, how will I learn to drive without a car?”
“I’ll teach you.” We pulled into my driveway and went inside.
“You think you have time for that?” I snickered.
“I’ll make it work. I promised you I’d have things sorted by Valentine’s. It’s sorted.” We went to my room so as to not rouse Luis or Brucey. I changed out of my work clothes and put on a sleep shirt.
“Are you going soon?” I asked, trying to keep the disappointment from my voice.
“No, I just… I’ve missed you so much. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to see you.”
“Well, you’re here now, and tomorrow you’re teaching me to drive, so I can go get my license.”
He slid off his clothes, leaving just his underwear. We got into bed and cuddled, and eventually, it led to an emotional lovemaking, and then, finally, sleep. The next afternoon, Desi put me in the driver’s seat of his car and took a deep breath.
“Scout, I love you. I do, I really do, but if you crash my car…”
I laughed, but his lips were in a straight, grim line. I rolled my eyes. “It’s fine. I’ve driven before. It’s just been a while. Now, where do I put the keys?”
He scowled and started to show me, but I swatted his hands away.
“Stop it. Let me do this.” I started the car and glanced through the rear mirror.
“Adjust all the mirrors,” he reminded me. I rolled down my window and pushed the side mirror to my liking. Desi did the same on his side, asking me a dozen times if I could see everything.
“Yes. Now can I go?”
“Can you not hit something?”
“You’re an awful teacher,” I muttered as I stepped on the break and put the car into reverse. Carefully, I let the car crawl backward down the drive and onto the road. Desi directed me around town, leading me to a middle school parking lot. I stopped the car and he got out and motioned for me to roll the window down.
“Okay, so a big part of the test is parking. If you can’t park, you won’t even get on the road. So, let’s see it. Can you parallel park?”
“No one does that.”
