~from Ami

Driving to Tulsa today with my almost-sixteen-year-old at the wheel, holding my breath as he merges into I-44 traffic, clinging to my seat as he navigates the obstacle course of Wal-Mart semis, farm trucks, and Hummers tearing up the road into the city.

As we drive, I keep up a running commentary of "what-ifs." If the car goes off a bridge, roll down the window and let the water in, then swim out. If you have power windows, you'll have to break the glass...we'll get you a special tool. If a tractor-trailer bears down on you in a merge lane, punch your accelerator. If someone gets irate, slow down and take an exit...

He's cool with everything, laughs at my concerns, says at one point in the middle of my stream-of-consciousness ramblings, "If you looked at me, you'd think I was lazy, right?" just to make me laugh.

I talk at him sometimes like there's not much chance left to teach him what I know. I think of the Berklee College of Music brochure he received in the mail today, think about the file of university plans he's collecting, the 1967 Ford Mustang he wants to buy and drive off into the sunset.

Listen, listen, listen! There are so many things I've forgotten to tell you!

Driving Lesson #1: Chances are, he really is a cautious driver.
Driving Lesson #2: Sometimes he listens to me, but pretends like he's not.
Driving Lesson #3: This journey we've been on, paved with years of hard work and happiness and sadness, has taken us to places we never dreamed we'd go- like midtown Tulsa, fifteen year-old at the wheel, rush hour traffic...