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id you say we were out of paper towels?” I called out from my bedroom. 

I bounced down the stairs and firmly declared “Mom don’t worry about it” while flinging my pocketbook over my shoulder. “I’ll go out and get some for you.”

For that matter I was willing to stop at the dry cleaners the bank the shoemaker and each and every grocery store in town. I had just passed my road test and found driving to be one of the most heavenly exciting and wonderful activities known to mankind. I mean why in the world did adults kvetch about doing car pool? Driving is plain and simply fun!

At that moment my father walked into the kitchen and eyed me suspiciously. “Where are you going?” he asked.

“Oh I’m just running out to get some paper towels” I replied. I tried to sound casual; as though I’d been driving around town buying paper towels for years. “Hey Mom where do you keep the car keys again?”

“Not so fast” was my father’s reply. “The paper towels can wait.”

“But I really don’t mind. In any case I wanted to stop at my friend’s house for a few minutes—”

“I know that you passed your road test and have your driver’s license.” My father sighed heavily. “But still I’m not so comfortable with you driving around town by yourself.” He glanced out the window. “And certainly not after dark.”

“What?” It took a lot of self-control to keep my tone semipleasant. “I can’t drive by myself? But Tatty I passed my test! On my first try!” I shot a pointed look at my older sis who only passed her road test on her third try. “That means I’m a very good driver!”

“Toby” my father calmly replied “you’ve just begun driving and your confidence scares me. I’m not sure if you realize how dangerous a car can be and how careful you have to be while driving. There is no room for error. You can’t space out for even a second. In fact according to the DMV the risk of car crashes is higher among teens than any other age group.”

I promptly tuned out. Of course I agreed with my father. Of course I know how important it is to be careful while driving. But sheesh he and the driver’s ed instructors were definitely overdoing it!

“And one of the reasons” my father was saying “for the frighteningly high crash rate among teens is precisely because they underestimate the dangers associated with driving.”

I dutifully nodded along itching for the car keys.