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“Don’t play in the car,” my mother frequently admonished. I was six years old, and our Oldsmobile station wagon was constant temptation. I loved to climb inside and grab the huge steel steering wheel; kneel on the leather bench seat; and pretend I was cruising down the street. Unfortunately, my mother’s warning wasn't enough to stop me from embarking on the ride of my life in this magnificent automobile.
“Don’t play in the car,” my mother frequently admonished. I was six years old, and our Oldsmobile station wagon was constant temptation. I loved to climb inside and grab the huge steel steering wheel; kneel on the leather bench seat; and pretend I was cruising down the street. Unfortunately, my mother’s warning wasn't enough to stop me from embarking on the ride of my life in this magnificent automobile.
It all began when my best friend and neighbor, David Stein, came over to play. We’d been vigorously playing in the front yard when I suddenly had an urgent desire to play in the car. David was reluctant. “I’m not supposed to play in cars without a grown up,” he whined. But I convinced him that everything would be fine, nobody when even know about it, and that he should live it up a little.
It all began when my best friend and neighbor, David Stein, came over to play. We’d been vigorously playing in the front yard when I suddenly had an urgent desire to play in the car. David was reluctant. “I’m not supposed to play in cars without a grown up,” he whined. But I convinced him that everything would be fine, nobody when even know about it, and that he should live it up a little.
David reluctantly agreed, and we both climbed inside the Oldsmobile, which always remained unlocked. I took command of the driver’s seat while David took the role of co-pilot. It was exhilarating! I clutched the big steal steering wheel, moved every switch and lever possible, and made my best car and truck noises. Even with the car stationary in the driveway, I felt I was truly free to go anywhere my imagination would take us.
David reluctantly agreed, and we both climbed inside the Oldsmobile, which always remained unlocked. I took command of the driver’s seat while David took the role of co-pilot. It was exhilarating! I clutched the big steal steering wheel, moved every switch and lever possible, and made my best car and truck noises. Even with the car stationary in the driveway, I felt I was truly free to go anywhere my imagination would take us.
Suddenly, the Oldsmobile wasn’t so stationary. I pulled a lever directly beneath me; this caused the car to move swiftly backwards down our driveway and into the street. David and I were petrified as the car rolled across the street. We both buried our heads into the brown leather bench seat.
Suddenly, the Oldsmobile wasn’t so stationary. I pulled a lever directly beneath me; this caused the car to move swiftly backwards down our driveway and into the street. David and I were petrified as the car rolled across the street. We both buried our heads into the brown leather bench seat.
"Please, please, please stop," I thought to myself as the car quickly gained speed.
"Please, please, please stop," I thought to myself as the car quickly gained speed.
Screaming the whole way, the car hit the opposite curb and was thrust forward, diagonally toward our neighbor's front yard. I looked up briefly and saw our neighbor's fence fast approaching. Inevitably, the car crashed into the fence and came to a stop among the broken wood fence posts and uprooted shrubbery.
Screaming the whole way, the car hit the opposite curb and was thrust forward, diagonally toward our neighbor's front yard. I looked up briefly and saw our neighbor's fence fast approaching. Inevitably, the car crashed into the fence and came to a stop among the broken wood fence posts and uprooted shrubbery.
The next thing I remember was seeing my mother frantically assessing the situation. David and I both were okay, and my mother seemed delighted. It didn’t take long, however, for her mood to quickly change as she noticed the neighbor’s shattered fence and yard and the bashed in fender of the car. “What on earth got into you!,” she cried. I had no reply; for I truly had no idea why I disobeyed my parents and done such a foolish thing. For the first time in my life, I was truly ashamed. I was only six years old, and I’d already crashed the family car—what would this do to my insurance rates!
The next thing I remember was seeing my mother frantically assessing the situation. David and I both were okay, and my mother seemed delighted. It didn’t take long, however, for her mood to quickly change as she noticed the neighbor’s shattered fence and yard and the bashed in fender of the car. “What on earth got into you!,” she cried. I had no reply; for I truly had no idea why I disobeyed my parents and done such a foolish thing. For the first time in my life, I was truly ashamed. I was only six years old, and I’d already crashed the family car—what would this do to my insurance rates!
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