White Teeth Teens

27. Stand Up

It's time for the dreaded driver's test: round two. At least my brothers are with me this time.

We each take turns using Mom's car for the test. Dean comes back with a proud look on his face. He got a few ticks on his evaluation sheet but they weren't fail-worthy. Logan goes out and I sit with Mom and Colin, squeezing Colin's little hand between my thumb and pointer finger, while Dean gets in line for his license. My only distraction is a text from Allison saying that she got her period.

Logan comes back and makes the rocker sign with his hand. He winks at me as I walk up to the same grumpy evaluator from two weeks ago. I avoid the small talk and drive out of the lot. He has me turn onto the main road, into a parking lot, and back to the DMV.

"Did I do something wrong?" I ask, when the man tells me to park.

"No, you passed," he says.

Half angry and half relieved, I march back into the DMV. Mom cranes her neck to see my expression and I give her a thumbs up. Her eyes look glossy. Jeez, is she really crying over this?

She takes us to the diner after we've all gotten our licenses. Dean's smiling in his picture but his face is totally washed out and Logan looks pissed off in his picture. I didn't look at the camera when the woman took my picture so it looks like I have a lazy eye.

"I had a cowlick sticking up in my first picture," Mom jokes.

"I wish I could see that," says Logan.

"We don't have to go to school today, do we?" Dean asks. Mom shakes her head and winks at us. We order another stack of pancakes in celebration.

"Can I hang out with Ben later?" I ask.

"Sure. I like him," Mom says. "You should bring him over more."

I shrug. "We're going to the mall."

"Can I come?" Logan asks.

I cringe. "No."

"Why? I need an outfit for Halloween."

"Where're you going for Halloween?" I ask.

"Same party as you," says Logan. "Fine, I'll drive myself." He looks at Mom. "Mom, can I take your car?"

Mom scrunches her face. "The mall's kind of far, Logan."

"I'll go with him," Dean offers. He nudges Logan. "I'm going to the same party, by the way."

I turn to Dean. "You are? But isn't Kayla-number-one having a party?"

He laughs. "Kayla number-one? Nah, I'm not going to that party."

"Why?"

"Cuz Val's going to the soccer party." He wriggles his eyebrows. I jab my fork in the air, threatening to stab him. Colin lets out a high-pitched squeal as if he's trying to defuse the situation. He succeeds. I stab the stack of pancakes instead and stuff a syrup-drenched slice in my mouth.

Mom says that my brothers can take her car if they go together. I sit there silently and pray that they'll be done at the mall before Ben and I even get there.

#

When we pull into the driveway, Dad's outside standing beside a brand new silver VW Jetta. The three of us rush out of the car.

"You guys were supposed to have this two weeks ago," Dad says. "Congratulations!"

He grabs me first and plants a kiss on my head, then hugs Dean and Logan. He throws me the keys first and I climb inside, locking the door before Dean and Logan can drag me out. It smells like new leather. I put the key in the ignition and turn it. The engine roars. Dean and Logan get in, and I make a K turn out of the driveway. We take turns doing laps up and down our street, blasting Nirvana, and singing at the top of our lungs.