Mirror Image

Twenty-Four

"Dad, I'm not sure I can do this," Lacey gripped the wheel of his car.

"You've done the driver's ed course at school. You've shown me you can do the parallel parking stuff. You even know about hill parks. You're ready. We're going over to the DMV in Concord and you're taking your driver's test. It's time." Her father pulled his seat belt over his shoulder and buckled it. "You can drive in."

"Yeah, but that's in the city. It's not like home where I know every street and alley. I even know most of the roads outside of town."

Lacey stayed quiet as she concentrated on the freeway traffic. She followed the GPS instructions and turned into the crowded parking lot in front of the department of motor vehicles building.

"Dad I'm nervous. Look at me. I'm shaking." She grabbed the arm rests to stop the trembling.

"You know how to stop at a stop sign, and a red light. Tell the examiner you need directions and instructions as to where you need to go. Let him know you're from a small town. I'm assuming a him, but that isn't necessarily true. You can do this. It's no worse than competing out of town on strange equipment." His quiet confidence didn't help like it usually did.

Lacey pulled the park brake and turned the ignition off. "If you put it that way, I guess it won't be that bad. And I will be driving this car, so it's not like I'm in a strange one." She felt like she was trying to talk herself out of a panic attack.

"That's the spirit. Let's head inside and let them know you're here." Her father squeezed her shoulder, as she fought her nerves. "You've got this, Tiger. Treat this like you do a competition. Take a few deep breaths now and we'll go in and see if they are ready for you."

"It's just another competition." She repeated the phrase in her head like a mantra as her Dad pulled the door open for her. "It's just another competition."

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Lacey swaggered into school the next morning. Her brand new temporary license in her hand. Terry met her as she entered the gym from the football practice field behind the school. She tucked it into her bra and took a running jump into a couple of cartwheels, a round off, and a laid out back flip, her smile a mile wide.

"What got into you?" Terry hugged her, spinning her around before he dipped his lips to hers, kissing her soundly.

"Got my driver's license yesterday. That's why I left early. Dad made the appointment and surprised me. We drove all the way into Concord to get it done. Scariest half hour of my life. I hate the city." Lacey said when she caught her breath. Man, he had a way with his lips. Her knees were never steady after he kissed her.

"Wow! We've got to celebrate. Pizza and a movie? It's Friday and we don't have a game or anything this weekend. It's next weekend. Isn't Sara coming next Thursday? We get an extra day off, don't we?" Terry waved Percy over.

"What's up," Percy's serious blue eyes were on Zee as she and the dance group polished their moves for a second routine.

"Double date? Lace got her driver's license." Terry bragged.

"Really? Congrats!" Percy lifted her effortlessly to his shoulders and Terry moved in beside him. Lacey knew it was her signal for the new move they perfected. Thank God for the practice mats Terry's father had in their barn.

Lacey moved across so she had a foot on each of their shoulders. When had Terry gotten taller? Really his shoulders were almost even with Percy's now. Not like the beginning of school year. Arching backward, she reached for her ankles and carefully placed her hands just outside them, slowly pushing into a handstand, leaning forward, and dropping headfirst toward the floor. The gasp from her coach, told her she had the move right, as the boys caught her legs and she rolled out into a front somersault.