Guess what, Mom. I got it.
Great. That's super.
What's going on? So, what did you get me?
Nothing. I got my driver's license. Okay. Bye.
Wait, wait, wait. Where are you going?
Mom said I could take the car to school this morning, and ...
Hold on here. I've prepared a few rules regarding the use of the motor vehicles in this house.
Like what?
Let me get my notes here.
Dad! That looks like a book? Mom, Dad's being mean to me.
Okay, let me get my reading glasses here. Okay, here we are. Rule number one: No driving with friends for the first six months.
What?
Teenagers often lack the judgment to drive responsibly, especially when several teenagers are involved. I mean they speed, they joyride, they cruise around town way past midnight.
But that's not me! Do I really need this lecture? This is such a drag!
Furthermore, who really needs a car when a pair of shoes will work? I mean, life was different when I was your age. In fact, I used to walk to school ...
Yeah, yeah. I know. Both ways uphill in ten feet of snow. I've heard this story many times.
Yeah. Oh, where were we? Oh yes. Rule number two: You always must wear your seat belt and obey the rules of the road.
Duh. I wasn't born yesterday.
Okay, rule number three: You can't drive long distances at night because you might get drowsy and drive off the road. But driving to the movie theater is fine.
But the movie theater is right across the street from our house.
Exactly, so you can just park in the driveway and walk there.
Mom! Dad's being unreasonable.
And rule number four: You should never use a cell phone while driving. That could cause an accident.
But YOU do.
That's different.
How's it different? You even need my help to turn your cell phone on.
And rule number five: Remember that I love you, and I'm just a protective father who wants his daughter to always be safe.
Does that mean I can take the car now?
Well, I don't know.
Please dad, please. You're the best dad in the whole wide world.
That's not what you said earlier.
Hey, having the car keys in my hands changes my whole perspective on life.
Well, okay. I guess if I'm considered the best dad in the world for five minutes, then I'll accept that.
Yeah.
Okay, but drive carefully and don't forget to fill up the car with gas before you come home. [Bye. Love ya guys.] Okay. Hon, do you think I did the right thing?
Yeah. She has to grow up sometime.