The late afternoon traffic hung thick, demanding Natan’s unswerving attention. His palms clung to the steering wheel on his first solo drive as a newly licensed driver.
The weight of the provisional license restrictions had finally lifted, setting him free from the shadow of constant supervision. The days when familiar adult figures sat beside him, offering guidance and caring insight, were gone. The transformation from a novice to a fully-fledged, legally recognized driver was underway.
His destination was simple: picking up his girlfriend for a sci-fi movie. However, his anxiety shadowed his sense of freedom, leaving him feeling unprepared for the responsibility that came with it.
Sofie stood at the end of her driveway. “You have no idea how much fighting it took for them to allow me to drive with you!”
Natan did have a good idea. His parents, though supportive, were also apprehensive about this ride.
Amidst the persistent buzzing of their cell phones, Natan’s gaze remained fixed on the road. Not even Sofie’s voice could lure his eyes away from scanning the traffic as he followed a behavior pattern he had observed for years.
His watchful eyes swept the road, vigilant for jaywalkers and the recklessness of others. He navigated with care around Yield signs and came to a complete stop at every Stop sign.
And all that time, a nagging thought tugged at him—what if his diligence came across as less than “cool” to Sofie?
It was dark when they got back. Sofie stayed seated, suspense hanging in the air. Natan’s heart skipped a beat. Then, the words spilled forth from her lips, laden with sincerity and appreciation. “Please convey my heartfelt gratitude to your parents. They’ve done an exceptional job in preparing you for this. I felt secure with your driving. Remember to give me a call once you’re safely home.”
At that moment, Natan reclined in his seat, drawing a deep, calming breath that he released slowly. It was all good!
https://www.state.nj.us/mvcbiz/pdf/About/GDLBrochure.pdf
The weight of the provisional license restrictions had finally lifted, setting him free from the shadow of constant supervision. The days when familiar adult figures sat beside him, offering guidance and caring insight, were gone. The transformation from a novice to a fully-fledged, legally recognized driver was underway.
His destination was simple: picking up his girlfriend for a sci-fi movie. However, his anxiety shadowed his sense of freedom, leaving him feeling unprepared for the responsibility that came with it.
Sofie stood at the end of her driveway. “You have no idea how much fighting it took for them to allow me to drive with you!”
Natan did have a good idea. His parents, though supportive, were also apprehensive about this ride.
Amidst the persistent buzzing of their cell phones, Natan’s gaze remained fixed on the road. Not even Sofie’s voice could lure his eyes away from scanning the traffic as he followed a behavior pattern he had observed for years.
His watchful eyes swept the road, vigilant for jaywalkers and the recklessness of others. He navigated with care around Yield signs and came to a complete stop at every Stop sign.
And all that time, a nagging thought tugged at him—what if his diligence came across as less than “cool” to Sofie?
It was dark when they got back. Sofie stayed seated, suspense hanging in the air. Natan’s heart skipped a beat. Then, the words spilled forth from her lips, laden with sincerity and appreciation. “Please convey my heartfelt gratitude to your parents. They’ve done an exceptional job in preparing you for this. I felt secure with your driving. Remember to give me a call once you’re safely home.”
At that moment, Natan reclined in his seat, drawing a deep, calming breath that he released slowly. It was all good!
https://www.state.nj.us/mvcbiz/pdf/About/GDLBrochure.pdf
