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Driver Versus Snow Wall
It started with a suggestion on
our family ski vacation....perhaps the boys would like to go out and practice
driving in the snow, after all it was a useful skill one would need as an adult.
Gently suggest to my husband also known as Mr. Testosterone that perhaps the
boys would look at the driving lesson as the Indy 500 winter sport of donuts and
spins. Craig chooses to ignore me, boys scoff at my suggestions. My friend and I
look at each other knowingly and watch as the boys, 5 teenagers and two idiot
adult males race out the door....without coats in the below zero degree weather.
My friend and I chat amongst ourselves while watching the Olympics and have a
generally blissful evening without listening to all of the farting, yelling and
cursing that usually accompanies the boys/men.
Boys arrive sooner than expected with rather hang dog looks. Everyone seems
rather subdued. Ignore them and continue watching the Olympics. Boys being boys
sit for approximately fifteen minutes and then repair outside to take on the
wicked downhill sledding course they have created. Austin remains seated, find
this strange as Austin is a known lover of sledding. Inquire as to if he is
perhaps ill at which point he grumbles something unintelligible.
Craig then suggests that perhaps they have had just the smallest of mishaps when
Austin was at the wheel. Find only with cross examination of all involved that
Austin has boldly skidded into a snow bank while accelerating to approximately
60 miles per hour. Wonder aloud and in angry voice where in heck his dad was,
the adult. Conner is well aware of Austin's overconfidence problem when it comes
to driving. Austin had in fact just explained to all that neither person nor car
would come to any damage in said parking lot. He, Austin was driving. At this
point Conner left the car. Conner and his friends have a clear view of Austin's
mishaps.
Austin collides with snow bank and finds rental car is damaged with the tire
coming off the wheel and of course the front bumper dented. Tim and Craig
attempt to put spare tire back on while Austin holds the flashlight. None have
coats on and Austin is wearing shorts, always a good look for ten degrees below
zero. Austin gets up close and personal with the cold ground while helping
replace the wheel. Boys guffaw in car, Austin not feeling the love from anyone.
He speculates that perhaps the brakes were faulty in the icy conditions. At this
point he is ridiculed and pushed in the snow.
No one is hurt, I am relieved, and Austin will pay for damages. It's all good.
Craig reminds me that I have to return the rental car as it is registered in my
name. Completely lose my cool and scream at Craig and Austin. Begin to sweat
heavily thinking of the story I will tell car rental agent people tomorrow while
throwing Craig the dagger looks.
Conner and I drive into rental agency and find that they do not have a person on
site in the parking lot but rather a person inside. Conner suggests that we
throw the keys on the counter and run. The rental people will never figure it
out. Briefly consider the idea before my better judgment takes hold. Relay to
Conner that in fact honesty is usually the best policy. We will be mostly honest
excepting the fact that we have to lie about whom was driving the car. Rental
people extremely nice and inquire as to our well being. Happily sign their form
concerning damage to car. The
inevitable payment is put off for now.
Relay to Austin when I next see him that car is taken care of; he is extremely
pleased that all went well. He insists that the repair should be a few hundred
dollars. Remind him that spring break will be an excellent time to begin working
off his debt. He agrees and promptly forgets about the incident that caused me
so much stress. Life with teenage boys goes on and on....Teenagers and Driving
has been rewritten, here it is: See you Tuesday at 10:30.
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