Joy Ride

I kicked off my ratty flip-flops and rested my bare feet on the green, freshly cut grass. I heard the sounds of a pool party issuing from behind my neighbors house. Screeching laughter and country-western music settled on my ears. The sun was resting on the horizon, shining directly into my eyes. I shielded them with one hand. With the other, I picked a blade of grass out of the ground, stuck my lips out like a duck, and balanced the blade between my nose and upper lip. I was aware of how ridiculous I looked, but I didn't know that anyone was watching.1

"What in the world are you doing?"2

I moved my hand away from my forehead, and the blade of grass fluttered down to the ground. I squinted against the late evening sun. Sam Brantley's square body was a simple, shadowy sillhouette against the pinkish, late-evening sky. I sighed dramatically, my shoulders moving up and down.3

"I'm bored," I whined.4

"I can see that," he answered, gesturing to the single blade of de-earthed grass. Sam flopped down beside on the lawn, kissing me on the lips on the way down. 5

"Hey," I protested, "you'd be surprised what a girl without a car will do for fun."6

Sam eyed me suspiciously , and I shoved his arm lightly.7

"You know what I mean."8

He laughed, and I threw my legs across his. He wrapped a strong arm around my ankles.9

"Well," he groaned, "we can go across the street to the pool party..." There was a hint of disgust in his tone, along with a sliver of laughter.10

I scoffed. "Yeah, definately. Swimming with a bunch of weak-bladdered second-graders sounds like loads of fun."11

Sam's little brother, Ryan, was throwing a birthday part in his backyard with a dozen of his obnoxious friends. Sam had been forced into playing babysitter while the parents, no doubt, drunk themselves into a stupor. Somehow, he had gotten away.12

"I'm sure all of Ryan's friends would be glad to see you," Sam said, choking back a chuckle.13

I shuddered at the thought. Almost every single of Sam's little brother's friends reportedly had a crush on me. Being anywhere near them, especially in a bikini, was out of the question.14

"Anything has to be more fun than just sitting here. And making grass moustaches."15

"I was not making..."16

Sam raised an eyebrow at me, making me blush.17

"Ok..." I admitted, swinging my bare legs off of his and crossing my arms. "I was. I'm just so bored!"18

Sam slipped an arm around my waist, pulling me close to him. He moved his lips close to my ear.19

"Let's do something fun."20

I leaned in close to him, resting my head against his shoulder.21

"Like what?"22

"Well," he said mischeviously, "There is something I would like to do."23

Sam buried his face into my neck. I smiled, but then playfully pushed him away.24

"We're sitting right in front of my house, remember? How about something that doesn't involve my dad coming out and chasing you off with a shot gun?"25

"Ok," he sighed, dejectedly. I grabbed his hand, and he kissed mine, smiling again.26

Rolling my stiff neck around, a gleam of shiny red caught my eye, and my heart sank. My beautiful new VW Jetta sat untouched in the driveway, begging to be driven. I grazed each detail with my sad eyes, from the shiny seven-spoke hubcaps to the extra high tail-like spoiler. I gave a little whimper.27

"One lousy C! That's it!" I complained. "And it was in Spanish. Shouldn't they be more worried if I had gotten a C in something important, like Algebra?" I threw my hands in the air, and flopped flat on my blue tank top-clad back. The car was going to be my gift for getting straight A pluses all year. I had almost made my goal. Except for getting a stupid C in Spanish II. It was all Seniora Rose's fault. The review was nothing like the exam!28

"You should have hid your report card like I did," Sam said. "I just told my parents that it was coming in the mail."29

I rolled over onto my side and propped my head up on my hand. "You didn't!"30

Sam shrugged. He ran a finger absentmindedly up and down my arm. "They couldn't care less. They don't pay attention to anything."31

My heart cracked for him a little. It was true. His parents never cared where he was, whom he was with, or what he was doing. At least having my parents take away my amazing car showed that they cared. Sometimes I wished that Sam had a car for his parents to take away.32

I stared at Sam's expressionless face, car-less and still bored, when suddenly his eyes got as wide as dinner plates, and he clutched the arm he had been stroking.33

"What?" I asked.34

"I know something fun we can do," he said quietly, getting more excited by the second.35

"What?" I asked again, starting to get a little afriad. Sam's idea of fun wasn't always the same as mine. 36

He sat up suddenly, tapping his fingers on the grass. I sat up too, swatting at a mosquito that had suddenly appeared when the sun finally sank below the horizon. Sam's gaze was directed behind my head, at my car. His grin widened.37

Oh no.38

He leaned in close. "You have the keys, right?" he breathed.39

I gasped sharply, inhaling the mosquito that was still buzzing around my face. I coughed violently, unitl I finally choked out, "WHAT?!"40

Sam put a finger onto my lips urgently. "Shh!" he hissed. "You have them, don't you?"41

"Y-yeah," I spluttered. "They're in my room. In my drawer. But Sam, I can't..."42

Sam groaned. "Come one, Kaylee! What's more fun than sneaking out for a secret joy-ride? The adrenaline rush...it'll be amazing!"43

I stared at him increduously, slack-jawed. I could think of almost a million things that would be more fun than sneaking out with the car. Well, almost a million. Ok, maybe two or three. But for certain, EVERYTHING would be more fun than my parents taking my pretty red car back. Which is what they would do if I got caught. They might even take a chainsaw to it, right in front of my eyes. I shuddered at the thought.44

"No way," I said sternly. "No way! I'm not taking that car out. My parents will kill me."45

"They wouldn't kill you."46

I nodded vigorously. "Oh yes, they would. They're not like your parents. You know that!"47

"Please?"48

"No!" I argued. "Listen, I get it next week. Can't you just wait till then?"49

Sam groaned. "But, what's the fun in having it when you're allowed?"50

"Well, for one thing, I don't have to worry about getting grounded for the rest of the summer!"51

Sam rolled onto his back and crossed his arms over his chest. A pathetic look rested over his face. "It would be really fun..." he mumbled.52

I crawled over to him on my hands and knees. I rested on my heels. "Movie? I've got a couple of good ones inside." I suggested timidly. Sam looked at me like I was an alien. I knew it wouldn't work. He was all about movement, speed. Movies were not his thing.53

I leaned my head back for a while, staring at the tiny stars that were beginning to appear. I thought about how pretty they would look through my brand-new sun roof. I breathed in the sweet air and thought about how much sweeter it would smell whistling through an open window as I raced down the street. I closed my eyes and felt the smooth steering wheel beneath my fingers and the rumbling gas pedal beneath my feet. Oh, I wanted that car so badly. My eyes flicked open, and I saw Sam still laying in the grass and looking pathetic. I leaned over him.54

"You really want to? Take the car, I mean?"55

Sam grinned so wide I thought his cheeks would split. He sprang up. "You bet!"56

"Alright," I sighed. "Wait here. And be quiet."57

I opened the front door, trying to be as normal as possible, even though my hands were shaking out of control. I heard the sound of pre-recorded laughter coming from the living room; a signal that my parents had settled back to watch their favortie sitcom. Perfect. They wouldn't be getting up for at least another hour or two. I hoped.58

I walked carefully up the stairs, gripping the the railing. I was shaking so hard, I thought I was going to pass out.59

Man, I'm such a baby.60

In my room, I wrenched open my drawer. I searched in the back of it with one hand, until my fingers felt something cool and rigid. Yes! I pulled the keys into sight and held them up in the light. They jingled in my hand. My house key, my athletic locker key, and there it was. My pretty, shiny car key! I closed my fingers around it and it pushed pleasently into my skin. Before leaving my room, I snatched my iPod off my bed, and shoved my keys into my back pocket. A decoy.61

I was about to push through the front door, when my father's voice floated from the living room. "Kaylee? Would you come here for a minute?" Darn. I had almost made it out. Huh. That's ok. I'll just lie. Yeah, lie. Oh my God, I was going to have to lie! 62

I took a deep breath and walked into the room. I checked to see if the only window in the room had been covered with the drapes for the night. It had. There was no way that my parents would be able to see if the car was missing. Unless they had to get up for some reason. Oh God.63

 My father was sprawled out on the couch, the remote hung limp in his hand. My mother sat in the high-backed recliner, her eyes glued to the flickering TV screen. "Yes, Daddy?" I said sweetly. Wow, I was scum.64

"Hi, babe. Just wondering where you're headed. It's getting kind of late."65

"Daddy," I giggled. "It's only 8:30!"66

"Oh, that's right," he replied. "Where are you going?"67

"Oh, I'm just going across the street to Sam's. I just had to get my iPod." I waved it in the air to show him.68

"Ok, that's sounds alright. Have fun. Don't stay all night."69

My mother pulled her eyes away from her sitcom and said, "Please behave, Kaylee. You've been so good about us keeping your car from you. I'm very proud."70

"I am too, honey," my dad said, smiling.71

I felt as if the keys in my back pocket were burning a hole right through my butt. I was almost afraid that they were about to develop lungs, scream out, and give away their location.72

"Uh, sure. Of course. Thanks, guys. Love you." I stuttered. I kissed my dad on the head, he patted my cheek, and I hurried out the front door.73

I'm worse than scum. I'm the scum on scum.74

I raced down the porch stairs. Sam stood where I couldn't see him, and he jumped out and grabbed me. I screamed. He wrapped his arms low around my back.75

"Did you get 'em?" he asked.76

I glared at him. "I feel horrible! I just lied straight to my parents' faces! You should have heard them! They were just getting through telling me how proud they were of me for being so reasonable about the car." I whispered harshly.77

Sam's eyes were playful. "But, you got them, right?"78

I growled. "I don't know if I can do this..."79

Sam pulled me close to him, his face hovered above mine. "Don't back out now..." he whispered persuasively. He kissed me deep, and my mind went foggy. Before I knew it, he had pulled away, and was dangling the keys in front of my face. He had pulled them right out of my back pocket! He began to skip gleefully towards the waiting car.80

"Wait!" I screamed in a whisper. "That's not fair!" I chased after him, but he had already unlocked the doors. He held the driver's side open for me. I crossed my arms.81

"Get in," he said, motioning. 82

I stood still. I was about to steal a car. But, it wasn't really stealing, was it? It was my car. They had given me the keys. Oh yeah, it was stealing. At least, it felt terribly like it.83

Sam groaned. "You've got to get in and steer. I'm going to have to push it down the road a little ways so your parents don't hear it start."84

"You've done this before..."85

Sam smiled. "Common sense, baby," he replied. "Now please, get in!"86

I took a deep, shuddering breath, and climbed into the car.87

It smelled so good, like a clean, brand-new car. Well, it was. The seats were smooth and blemish-free, the steering wheel felt as smooth as I had imagined. The door closed quietly, and Sam tip-toed to the front of the car. He put his hands out in front of him as if her were holding a steering wheel, and he motioned for me to steer in the right direction. Then, he began to push.88

The car inched backwards, and I jumped when it did. Sam strained against it, and it moved slowly but surely. We came to the end of the driveway, and I turned the wheel so that it began to curve to the left, its front curving right. When we were facing straight right, Sam ran to the back. He pushed until the car was out of sight of the house. He then ran to the passenger side, yanked the door open, and jumped inside.89

"Careful!" I exclaimed.90

"Sorry, sorry," he apologized, panting slightly. He pulled my keys out of his pocket and dropped them into my outstretched (still shaking) hand. I stared at them.91

"We're far enough away now. You can start it up!" Sam clapped is hands excitedly like a boy who had just gotten a lifetime free-pass to his favorite video game store. 92

The keys jangled slightly, and I carefully inserted one into the ignition. I dropped them, and they hung there, swaying slightly.93

Sam cleared his throat. "Turn them, babe. You have to turn them."94

"I know, I know," I said, slightly irritable. I exhaled slowly from a small hole between my lips, and I turned the key.95

The car roared to instant life, and I almost screamed. It wasn't loud, but I thought that people all the way in Hong Kong could hear. I gripped the arm rests until my knuckles turned white. I was preparing myself for the squeal of police sirens coming to cart me off to prison. Sam gripped my arm.96

"Will you relax?" he said. "We're not gonna get caught."97

"How do you know?" I shot back.98

"Trust me," he purred. He kissed my ear. "Now, drive."99

So, I did.100

********************************101

Sam had been right. There couldn't have possibly been anything more fun than what we had done that night. My little Jetta sped down the highway, legally of course. The stars were more beautiful, and the air was sweeter. I was positive that nothing could have been more fufilling than that. 102

I had been extremely on edge for the first couple of minutes. I wouldn't even get close to 50 miles per hour. But, after a little more persuasion from Sam (he was so good at it) I had my little machine flying up and down those roads like there was no tomorrow. I didn't ever want to go back home. Back to waiting for my car all over again. Unfortunately, my parents wouldn't stay up all night. They were going to leave the safety of the blocked off living room sometime.103

Sam pushed the car back into the driveway, just were it had been before. I felt electrified, alive! Just a few more steps, and I will have successfully taken my car out without being caught! I was surprised at how....good it felt. I hardly felt guilty at all! Well...barely.104

I went inside, just in time to see my parents shuffling up the stairs to bed. After cheerfully wishing them a good night's sleep, I closed myself up in my own bedroom. Right before turning off the lights, I peeked out my window. My car was sitting there, still looking perfect. As if nothing had happened. And as far as anyone would know, nothing had.105

The next morning shone brightly through my window. Another summer day. And another six days until I got my car for real. Oh well. The thrill of last night would tide me over for the time being. I stood up and stretched. I'd better go check over the car, just to make sure nothing happened last night. I thought. 106

I bounded down the stairs, offered a bright greeting to my parents in the kitchen, and headed out the front door.107

Air rushed out of my lungs and my head felt as if it were about to burst when I finally got outside. Where my eyes should have met a gleam of apple-red, I only saw grey, lonely concrete. I ran unsteadily to the empty driveway. I flung my arms around, as if the car had somehow become invisible and I would find it if I did this. I began to hyperventillate. "My...my car. My car!" I mumbled almost insanely under my breath. "Where is it?"108

I flew back inside, slamming into the wall of the kitchen. My parents sat at the breakfast table, unfazed. My father took a long sip out of his coffee mug.109

"My car!" I spat out. "Not...there...car...gone." I couldn't form any more of a sentence. 110

"We know," my mother said calmly, not taking her eyes off of the oatmeal she was stirring on the stovetop.111

It's gone. They caught me. My beautiful car was gone. Probably forever. I would never drive it again. All because I had given in to dumb old Sam and snuck out with it. How stupid could one person be? Obviously, really stupid. And I was never stupid! I was a good girl! But, good girls get hit hard when they do bad things.  They didn't have to say anymore.112

"Ok..." I mumbled, shuffling slowly back out of the kitchen, flicking at a tear pinching out of the corner of my eye.113

"Kaylee," my father called. I turned to see him staring straight at me. He shook his head, utterly disappointed. He took another sip of coffee, and I nodded. 114

"Ok," I repeated.115

 I returned to the front yard, tapping my bare toes on the green grass that I had enjoyed the night before. I didn't think that I could ever look at grass the same way again. Let alone anything green.116

I gazed across the street and Sam's house. It sat there, innocently. Mocking me. As if there was no one inside that had caused my misery. Didn't fool me. I began to sprint across the street, avoiding looking at the cold, empty driveway, and ignoring the sharp pebbles digging into my bare feet.117

I pounded on Sam's front door continuously until he opened, rubbing his eyes. He obviously had been asleep, considering his was wearing boxers and his hair was sticking up as if he had just been electrocuted. He rubbed his eyes.118

"What the fu..." he muttered. Then he saw me glaring at him with fire in my eyes. "What's wrong?" he asked. He stepped outside and shut the door behind him, blocking out the sounds of his angry parents swearing, asking who the hell was at the door.119

By this time, I was fuming. I couldn't even speak. So instead, I grabbed his arm, not even caring if I scratched him with my nails, and thrust my other arm towards the empty driveway. His sleepy eyes shot open.120

"Your car..." he said under his breath.121

I nodded.122

"It's gone..."123

I nodded again.124

"They found out..."125

This time I screamed, digging my nails deeper into his arm. "YOU THINK!? This is all your fault! I knew it was wrong to take the car...but no. You made me do it! Now. It's. GONE!" I yelled, hoping that the words bore deep into his brain.126

Sam flinched, but he didn't try to pull his arm away. Instead, he got this apologetic look on his face. He whistled slowly through his teeth. What he said next made me want to kill him, right then and there.127

"Well, at least we got in one good ride, right?"128