“That’s a seat belt.” She points at it. “It keeps you safe.”
I pull it away from my chest. “It is very constraining. How is a flimsy piece of fabric going to keep us safe?”
She laughs. “That’s the point, and it just does.”
She pushes a button, and the car roars to life, sounding like a wild beast coming awake.
We drive for an indeterminate amount of time while she tells me about breaking legs, spilling beans, and otherphrases that don’t make sense. I find I love her incessant talking, especially after such a long period of time of silence. Being alone with nothing but your thoughts makes for terrible conversation.
Arriving at our destination, Ava pulls the car into an abandoned field far away from the city. Pulling on a stick in the center to stop the car she turns to me.
“Okay, quick rundown on the basics of the car and what things do.”
She points at various pieces of machinery, and I absorb every detail as she runs through them.
Steering wheel—for turning in the direction you want to go.
Turn signal—for indicating which way you’ll be making a turn.
Next she goes over something she laughingly refers to as the PRNDL.
I’ve always been a quick learner, so I commit everything she tells me to memory.
“Think you’ve got this?” Ava asks and opens up the driver’s door.
“Yes,” I reply confidently. “I have got this.” I know my stilted contraction-less English makes her laugh so I purposely say it and am rewarded with a blinding smile.
“I’ve,” she corrects. “I’ve got this.” She smacks my arm when she realizes I’m messing with her. “All right, smarty pants.”
I settle into the seat she’s vacated and buckle my seat belt as she taught me. My eyes briefly flutter at the floral scent I’m encompassed in.
Ready to go, I pull down on the middle handle and push my foot against the gas pedal. We jolt forward, and I hurry to push the brake, which only yanks us against the seat belts once more.
“Whoa, there.” Ava holds a hand against her chest and lets out a breath. “You have to take it easy. The pedals are sensitive,and it doesn’t take much force to go.” With an encouraging smile from her, I try once again.
This time I push gently against the pedal and the car starts to move forward slowly. I keep it at the same speed as we roll across the field. Once I feel comfortable, I go faster and make a slow circle to turn around and go back the way we came.
“Look at you go!” Ava whoops. “Let’s go a little faster even.”
From there, my confidence only grows, and I attempt harder maneuvers such as backing up and parallel parking between trees. Ava’s a patient teacher and cheers me on, which feels nice. I think I like having someone in my corner.
“Okay, I think we should take a break,” Ava says after a while.
Darkness has begun to set in, and I didn’t even notice, so set on learning how to drive.
“There’s something I think you’ll like out here.” Ava motions for me to join her outside the car. She pulls a blanket from the back and heads out to the field.
The blanket makes a snapping sound as she opens it up, and it gently falls with the breeze to lie on the ground. She pats a spot beside her, and I lie on my back as she does the same.
“Look.” Ava points above us.
My throat threatens to close up from the emotion choking me.
Hundreds upon hundreds of twinkling lights fill the night sky. In the city, you can barely see the stars. This is far beyond that. With the openness of the field and the vast expanse of night sky without smog and buildings, I feel safe and comfortable. Having Ava here with me makes it even better.
“That’s the Big Dipper.” Ava points at a particular cluster of stars.
“There’s Orion.” I point at anotherset.
