Let the fear take the wheel and steer.

I'm 15-years-old. I'm behind the wheel of a Ford Escort, a late 80s model with zero power steering. The (still alive) Notorious B.I.G. is rapping "believe me sweetie, I got enough to feed the needy" on the CD player. And I'm out on a date with my high school boyfriend Joel. He has decided that tonight's the night. It's time for me to learn how to...drive.

Upon finding out that neither of my parents had in any way, shape, or form given me any chance to learn how to master a vehicle, it then became his mission to make me into a skilled drivin' pro. He had no idea of what a pain in the ass I can be. I dare say he probably had a good idea later on in life, but hey, that's not the story at hand.

Our driving course of choice was the parking lot at the Jordan River Parkway and of course it's at least 11pm at night. We had bellies full of French Dips and Pepsi from the Scone Cutter restaurant. In our eyes, the night was still very young.

2-hours later we were both convinced that I had no hand/eye coordination and that we should come up with some scheme to become rich enough to afford a driver. There were a lot of laughs, maybe a few tears (cars without power steering were from hell), and I ran over my very first sidewalk.

Eventually (months later), we were able to accomplish the goal of me being a decent enough driver to get by in Driver's Ed class. And my teacher may or may not have had to tell me (multiple times) to "look at the road!!" instead of the ducks on 'Duck Road' during my first few drives out with class, but eventually I was able to get my license without any problems.

It's funny though, anytime I hear this song, I'm a kid again, just learning to drive, and I'm full of hope for what the future has to hold. Thanks Biggie Smalls.