Page 83 of Vince
“Okay…” she draws out with uncertainty but complies.
We make it to a stretch of road where she’s actually able to get into fifth gear or as I tell her, overdrive. When she’s finally able to cruise, she admits, “Okay, I can do this. It’s not so bad.”
“I knew you could do it. You think you’re ready to tackle some hills?”
“Might as well. I’d freak out if I were on my own, and it kept rolling backward.”
“It still happens to me from time to time, but on the steep hills, you can always use the e-brake as an assist. Seriously though, once you get the hang of it, it won’t be so bad. Trust me.”
Sucking in a deep breath, she’s adorable as she says on an exhale, “You haven’t steered me wrong so far.”
“I love that your confidence in me is so unyielding.” My words roll sarcastically off my lips and to my surprise, I’m gifted with her laughter. Maybe she’s finally relaxing.
I direct her through a neighborhood that has a few hills with stop signs.
When we get to the first stop, she rolls back a good six feet. Knowing there isn’t a car behind us, I’m not too worried. Though Sydney grips the wheel tighter and lets out an uncomfortable squeak.
“Remember, you have to use that sweet spot on the clutch to your advantage. It will keep you from going back and forward. Give it more gas and ease off the clutch until you find it.” The engine revs, but we only rock a foot or two then it catches, and we propel forward through the intersection.
“I did it!” Syd exclaims. Her joyful expression’s infectious.
When we get to the next sign, she tackles the hill with ease, and I fist pump the air with a “Whoop,” in encouragement.
This earns me a beautiful eye roll.
Yeah, Syd’s getting back to herself, and I couldn’t be happier.
“What do you say to the highway? I think you’re ready to get into some traffic.”
“Are you sure?” she asks with a raised eyebrow in my direction.
Shit. Her apprehension’s back, but hopefully it won’t stay for long.
“It’s the only way you’re going to get through your fear,” I remind her. “But honestly, Syd, you’re ready.”
Once we’re on the highway, I encourage her to follow it up the gorge. Yeah, it has twists and turns, but it won’t require a lot of shifting. It’s a beautiful afternoon, and we might enjoy the beauty of a drive.
“So, how did you learn to drive a stick so well?” she asks as she puts it in overdrive and finally relaxes into the seat.
“My dad took me out long before I could ever legally drive on the road.”
“Really? Just how old were you?”
Shit. How old was I? “Um, around thirteen if I had to guess. I might’ve been younger. His friend had a farm in the country, and I drove the farm truck when I helped hay the fields that summer.”
“Let me guess, you were a natural.”
“Not at all. The clutch on that truck was touchy as hell. I can’t even tell you how many times I stalled it. But since it was just Dad and his friend, they were patient and kept reminding me I had to learn somehow…” God, that was an amazing day. I’ll never forget how proud Dad was of me when I finally got the hang of it.
Though the memory is a good one, and my heart aches with how much I miss him, I can see his smile perfectly, and I revel in the memory for as long as I can. It’s weird how you forget the little things when they’re gone. I’ve learned to hold on to the good memories for as long as I can. Someday, I might not be able to remember his laugh, and I’ll hate when that day comes.
“You okay, Vince?” Sydney’s voice breaks me from my revelry.
Clearing the lump that’s formed in my throat, I swallow before whispering, “Yeah… I just miss him.”
“Who?” Sydney’s confusion is clear.
Fuck. Had I said that last part aloud?
