Posted by Michelle - upon request by Herbie on May 05, 19100 at 08:55:21:

It was during the summer, about 3 months before my 16th birthday. I had
been bugging my mom for about a month to go out driving. I was due to
take drivers ed. in September at school but I wanted to get a little
behind the wheel experience before that. I did not really want to look
like a fool. It finally happened on a Saturday morning. My mom said lets
go for a ride. I was thrilled. My dad was out of town. I think my mom
knew I would be more comfortable with her as my dad was known to get a
little impatient at times. My mom is not the impatient type but does get
nervous about things sometimes. I could sense this when she told me. I
guess I would be too if I were in the same position. We are very much
alike.

Anyway, I was so happy to finally get behind the wheel of a car. I was a
little nervous but just wanted to get going. I scrambled around the
bedroom, getting dressed for the big moment. Its been a while but I
think I was wearing a denim skirt, red blouse, and found some red slides
with a 2" heel to wear. It was summer so I wanted to be comfortable.
Once dressed, I raced downstairs and went outside to where the car was
parked. The car was a 1981 Buick Park Avenue. It was maroon color. We
also had a brand new 1983 Chevy S-10 Blazer. The Blazer was a stick
shift. More on that another time.

The car was parked in the driveway. The car was unlocked so I got in. I
slid behind the seat then fastened the seat belt (I am such a good
girl!). I then checked the reach to the pedals. It was quite a reach so
I moved the seat up some. I then decided to see how it was going to be
driving in the slides I had on. I pressed the gas slightly, then moved
my foot to the brake. It was a bit difficult to keep my foot in the shoe
so I elected to take them off. I slipped them off and slid them towards
the left hand side of the floorboard. I liked the feel better. Oh, I
really can't remember the color nail polish but I am guessing it was a
light red. I have always liked somewhat lighter colored polish.

About 2 minutes latter, I saw my mom come out of the door and walking
towards the car. She got in and then handed me the keys. She then
frowned at my being barefoot. "Michelle, where are your shoes?" my mom
asked. "Oh, I have them here, pointing towards the floor", I replied.
"You need to put them on or we are not going anywhere." she said. "Mom,
they are kind of loose fitting, thats why I took them off" I responded.
"Well, then go in the house and put some flats on or something" was her
reply. "You take your shoes off sometimes, why can't I." I said angrily.
"Well, uh, I know how to drive and have been for years." was her
response. Not wanting to argue any further, I put my shoes back on.

I then slipped the key in the ignition and started the car. I gave it a
little gas and let it warm up for a minute. My mom then told me to back
up slowly. I put my left foot on the brake and shifted into reverse.
Once on the street, she told me to go to the corner and go right. We
were going to drive around the neighborhood. I put my foot on the gas
and we shot off like a rocket, squealing the tires just a bit. "Damn
Michelle, go light on the gas pedal" my mom yelled. "Sorry, this thing
is powerful" I replied, then jamming on the brake with my left foot,
causing us to almost come out of our seats. "Use your right foot to
brake, not your left." she said, noticing me braking with my left foot.
"Sorry mom, just doing it like you do". I responded. My mom is a left
foot braker. I was trying to figure out why she was giving me a hard
time. I had to wear shoes and now brake with my right foot. I was just
trying to be like her. Oh well.

We drove around for about an hour, my mom turning into a nervous wreck
like I thought she might. I was not enjoying the shoes. It just felt
awkward to me. I was constantly wiggling my foot into the slide. My mom
could see this also but said nothing. She then said lets stop off at the
corner store and get some coffee. It sounded like a good idea. I think
she needed to soothe her nerves. Granted, I was not doing the best of
jobs. Jerky stops, jerky acceleration, rubbed the tires on a right turn.
Oh, came close to mowing down someones trash cans as well!

We stopped and got some coffees. After a few minutes, she seemed more
relaxed. She said I was doing good, better than she did her first time.
That made me feel a little better. We sat at the table in the store for
about 15 minutes then headed back to the car. We got in the car and I
cranked it up. My mom then stopped me. "Michelle, you can take your
shoes off if you like." "You do not seem real comfortable with them on"
she said. With that, I slipped them off and put them on the seat between
us. "Its going to feel a little different so be careful." she added. I
then backed up the car and then drove out of the lot. "This is so much
better" thinking to myself. My driving was so much smoother. I felt like
I had much better control of the V-8 under the hood. My mom was
surprised at how much better I was doing. With that, she became more
relaxed as well. "You are doing real good Michelle. I do not think you
will have problems in drivers ed. next month. I am not sure if they will
let you drive with your shoes off though." she commented. "It is easier
like this I said. Guess I will wear something more appropriate just in
case." I laughed. "I agree. I was always thought it was unsafe until I
tried it a few years back. I guess you know why I do now" my mom
commented.

After about 20 minutes, we were back at the house. I parked the car and
got out, shoes in hand. I was so happy to finally had a chance to drive
a car. We went out again the next morning and I got to drive us to
church. I also asked my mom when we could take the Blazer out. I was
eager to try my hand at driving a stick. She said eventually. Of course,
it was shortly after that that neat little VW Beetle came into my life.
In fact, it was about 2 months later, just before I took my drivers
test. I think I did a story on that?