The Hitting Zone-Chapter 1206: V4 ch54 First Driving Lesson

I started a group chat later that night with Dave, Noah, Alisha, and Kaylee. Jeremy confirmed we could have tickets and on the field passes for Sunday. He would also call Dr. Shanfield in the morning to see about us going to his office on Sunday morning. I received a few thumbs up emojis from the group and closed the app.

I started to snuggle under my covers, trying to get comfortable just as Dave and Noah came into the room with heavy steps. Like they were in a hurry. They both rushed in and Noah stood on the lower bed so he can look at me.

I peeked out. "What?"

"Let's go learn how to drive!" Noah gave my bed a shake. "Come on. You can't be tired yet. It's summer break."

I glanced at my phone that said 10pm. "You want to learn how to drive…this late at night?"

"It's the best time to learn." Dave said. "That's the time that Dad took me and Kyle out."

"So Dad's taking us out?" I sat up, taking the comforter off me.

"Not exactly." Dave shrugged. "Mom and Dad have already turned in for the night. But I can go teach you guys."

I looked to Noah. "You want to learn from him? Even though you complain about his driving?"

Noah bounced up and down. "Yea. Come on."

I slowly got out of bed and pulled a hoodie on. I looked at them again as I put my shoes on. "Are we going to get in trouble for this?"

"Only if you keep dragging your feet." Noah said, exasperated.

The three of us moved through the upper floor silently, seeing both Grampa's and our parents doors shut. We could get out just fine; hopefully we have the same luck coming back.

Mom's small sedan and Grampa's old truck was in the garage so we could go out the front door as quietly as possible. I held my breath as Dave started the car in the driveway, but nothing happened. No one came outside and our phones stayed silent.

Dave took us to an empty shopping center, pulling into a parking spot next to a row of bushes.

Noah looked at him from the passenger seat. "There's so many open spaces with more room to maneuver in. Why the heck did you park next to the bushes?"

"This is how dad taught us." Dave said as he turned the car off. He unbuckled and opened his door. "You want to try first? Or wimp out and make Jake try first?"

Noah rolled his eyes and unbuckled. "Of course I'll go first." He and Dave both got out of the car and switched spots.

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Dave glanced back at me as he put his seatbelt on. "Stay steady, Jake. I'm just going to tell you right now, it's normal for you two to hit the curb a few times."

"I won't hit the curb." Noah rolled his eyes. "You act like I haven't seen how to drive before."

"It's different when you're in the driver's seat for the first time." Dave shrugged.

Noah started the car without a problem. "I think it would have been better if you started with something easy like driving around the parking lot."

"We'll get to that." Dave said. "But Dad said it's better to be humbled early in order to make us drive more carefully." Dave pointed to the gear shift. "When changing gears, make sure you're pressing the brake."

Noah pressed the brake and put the car in reverse. He let go of the brake and we reverse a bit fast so he stepped back on the brake. Hard.

"Oops." He mumbled. He glanced at Dave, but Dave didn't say anything. Noah let his foot off the brake slower and as we backed up, he started to turn the wheel…we hit the curb and he had to stop. He glanced at Dave again.

"You might want to pull back in." Dave suggested.

Noah continued to struggle, pulling in and out, hitting the curb lightly and sometimes hard. Dave let him, not giving him any advice. He stayed surprisingly stoic, not laughing at Noah and mocking him or even giving the smallest of suggestions.

After I lost count, Noah finally stopped and put the car in park. He looked at Dave. I thought he was upset, but he took a deep breath before asking, "Any guidance?"

Dave cracked a smile. "Yea." I thought he was going to say something funny, but he started to explain. "You have to pull out straight and steady, until you clear the obstacle. Then you crank the wheel so the car starts turning while in reverse."

"Can you tell me when to do it?" Noah asked. "Like be clear when and how."

"Yea, I got you." Dave assured.

Noah put the car in reverse again, and kept it straight and steady as he slowly backed up. After a few feet, Dave started to tell him to turn the wheel to the right.

"All the way now." Dave to him. "Ok. That's good. Now, put it in drive, but don't totally let up off the brake. You have to turn the steering wheel to straighten yourself out. Yes, yes, there you go."

Noah grinned, holding the steering wheel with both hands. "I did it. I'm doing it!" He slowly drove around in the parking lot.

"Ok, now go down one of these aisles where the spaces are pointed at you." Dave instructed. Noah complied, putting the car in park. "Now reverse. It's a whole lot easier in the slanted spots." Noah did so. "See!? Not bad! Now go ahead and take a couple laps around the parking lot and then you're going to go back and park in that original spot." Dave glanced back at me. "You're next, Jake. Stay calm and take your time."

I gave a short nod. Watching Noah, I kind of had an idea on how to approach this.

Noah went back to the spot he had difficulty with and parked. He got out and so did I. He patted me on the shoulder. "Don't stress. Look how many times I messed up. It was a little embarrassing, but it feels good when you get it right." He hopped into the backseat.

I got into the driver's seat. For the first time ever. And…I was a bit short on reaching the pedals. I turned to Dave. "I have to adjust the seat…?"

Dave nodded. "Yes! Definitely a normal first step. Noah didn't have to since he's so close to my height, but that's rare. Just look at Dad when he would drive after one of us had the car, he still has to move the seat back."

I toggled with the buttons, trying to find what was right for me. I then reached for the gear shift.

Dave put his hand out to stop me. "Wait. You forgot the mirrors. They need to be fixed too when you adjust the seat. I'll get out real quick and stand where you should change the mirrors so you can see me." He quickly unbuckled and hopped out, closing the door behind him.

It took me some time, but I got the hang of the buttons and finally felt ready. Dave was back in the front passenger seat and it was time for me to give it a try. I put the car into reverse and slowly let up on the brake. Following what Noah did earlier, I had the advantage of knowing more. As soon as I felt like I wouldn't hit the curb, I quickly turned the wheel and made it out of the parking spot without mishap.

Noah clapped in the backseat. "Super smooth, Jake!"

"Now, shift to drive and turn the wheel the other way." Dave said.

I felt the smile on my face grow as I slowly drove in the parking lot without incident. Dave reminded me to use the turn signals, pointing out how to use the windshield wipers, and gave general advice as we pulled in and out of parking spots. Noah and I took turns throughout the night, forgetting the time until one of our phones rang.

"It's Dad." Noah cringed.

Dave and I shared a look of distress.