Ramblings of a Teenager

I’m newly fifteen years old. The state says I can get a driver’s permit so I have begged my grandfather to take me for weeks. He surprises me on my birthday by picking me up early from school. His hesitation to take me has to do with the lack of effort I put into studying for the test.

“It should just be common sense.” I pleaded many times.

He shook his head and said that it’s not. This conversation happened over and over. “Go study the book I brought you.” He always said.

But, my birthday comes. Even though he knows I haven’t studied, and he takes me anyway.

Well, I fail the test. I really fail. If it was common sense, I obviously have none. I can’t believe I’ve failed. Everyone will think I’m such a loser. My grandmother will be mad that they paid for something that I didn’t do well at.

When she gets home that evening, she knows he surprised me by taking me on my birthday. I can hear her from my room. “Did she get her permit?” she asks him.

“I forgot to take her birth certificate.” He says in a flat voice. He is so convincing that I almost believe him.

This little lie hurts no one, but is the little lie that keeps me from shame. I am grateful. I didn’t ask him to keep the truth from her. He knew though. I cry a little that night because I realize that he is the closest thing to a father that I have. And it makes me happy to call him my dad.