The Shy Driver

Driving Lessons

Eventually the weekend arrived and finally the family could spend some happy, joyful time together. Fluttershy had made an exception and slept with Ashley that night – having informed Carter beforehand. She didn't like unequal love. Jack gathered everyone in the family room for a meeting to discuss how the 48 hours they had together would be effectively spent. He started as usual, by collecting ideas.

"I wish we could visit Disneyland," Ashley said dreamily.

Carter rolled his eyes. She said that every weekend, and Jack always responded with a firm no. However, he had wiser opinions. "I think a movie night with some cold soda and bubbling popcorn sounds good. Camping at Pike's Peak would also be pretty awesome, although it would most definitely take up much more than two days."

"Um...I'd like to know more about the metal carriage outside," Fluttershy said, rather excitedly.

"You mean the blue Mazda 5?" Jack replied.

"Oh, is that what it's called?" Fluttershy asked. "How does it function? How—"

"—Thanks for asking, Flutters," Carter interjected. "I'll scrape out some time and teach you all about it, okay?"

Fluttershy nodded happily.

"Well, I'm going with Carter's idea, but on a lower scale," Lorraine suggested. "Instead of going out camping, why don't we visit the larger recreational park in the south of the city?"

"Sounds good to me," Jack, Ashley, and Fluttershy all said excitedly at the same time

That day was a bit of a rush. As everyone prepared and packed, Lorraine called Fluttershy over into her room.

"Can I measure you?" she asked excitedly.

"Sure, Mom," Fluttershy replied.

Lorraine measured the little pony's legs, head, neck, and body, taking precise measurements and documenting them down.

"Thank you," she told Fluttershy, and set to work.

While Ashley finished packing, Carter (who was dressed in a running jersey and shorts) and Fluttershy headed down to the car.

"Ok, Fluttershy, here's the first step," Carter began, handing her the keys. "You have the remote start buttons. One is to alert in case of emergency, while the other two are to unlock and lock the doors. You identify them by the lock symbol. See?"

Fluttershy soon caught on, and used her nose to press the 'unlock' button, since it was too small for her hoof. Carter then introduced her to the doors themselves, how the doors opened, closed, and locked; basic car symbols for heating and cooling, entertainment system icons, how to move and reposition the seats, and also what the engine was and how it powered the car. Fluttershy learned fairly well, as Carter was patient and repeated anything that she had trouble understanding. From what Carter had explained, cars were very interesting and were very complicated pieces of machinery indeed.

Back in the house, Lorraine had finished up after more than two hours of hard work. She had made several items of clothing for Fluttershy: long-sleeved shirts, a sweater with a hood, a long skirt, a saddlebag, and a dress.

Carter's mouth dropped open. "You gotta be kidding me. This is just too much."

"Oh, I think it is just right," Lorraine said happily. "Are you ready?"

Just then, Fluttershy walked in and when she saw the clothes she was super happy. Carter and Lorraine left to let her try them on. Fluttershy loved the clothes, especially the dress. The saddlebag was her favorite, as it reminded her of her friends in Equestria. She strapped on her saddlebag and Ashley filled it up with some snacks and the newest issue of modernCat magazine.