Of course, I’d never admit this to anyone. I sound like a crazy person, or at least very unteenagery

I follow Ma up the path, feeling strangely wistful. Is there something wrong with me?

Don’t answer that. But why do I feel like my childhood just ended? These moments of Ma driving and me in the passenger seat… it’s been like that my whole life. And now that I passed my driving test (woohooooooooo!) I feel I’m saying goodbye to a whole part of my life. Of course, I’d never admit this to anyone. I sound like a crazy person, or at least very unteenagery.

I push open the door, feeling nostalgic for the childhood I’m in the middle of, and am greeted by a blast of noise.

“CONGRATSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!”

Libby blows a noisemaker into my ear, Miri is holding up a giant card, all the nieces and nephews are wearing racecar driver hats, Abba is beaming, Sima is holding pom-poms, and Debbi is there, in the corner, holding a car-shaped fondant cake.

I blink, taking in the madness, and then run around, hugging everyone and jumping up and down. Hey, just ’cause I’m feeling wistful doesn’t mean I’m not excited.

Debbi gives me a big hug but lets go quickly. I understand; baby steps. Friendship can’t be built in a day and all that.