Ginny's Story A novel by Karen Lockhart Copyright© 2017 Karen Lockhart All Rights Reserved.

Since “The Dating Game” was now settled, I asked Wendy about learners' permits and what she had found on the RMV website.

“Well, I guess I need to go to a driver's education school, then I can take the learner's permit test. They said the permit was good for two years!”

“Is that all?” Ellen asked Wendy.

“Yeah, than I make an appointment for a road test. Oh, and I must drive with a licensed adult in the front seat and something about not driving when the vampires are out.”

I looked at Ellen and laughed: “The vampires are out? What do you mean by that?”

Wendy shrugged, “Something about between 1am and 5am I guess. That's when the vampires are flying around, isn't it?”

“You mentioned driver's education school; did you research them?” Ellen asked.

Looking at the clock, I remarked it was getting late, and any research could be done tomorrow at work.

Wendy beat us to the bathroom, I guess she wanted to remove her five cent gaff for the night.

While Ellen and I were waiting, I speculated about driving school. “Want to bet it now costs more than my first car?”

She snorted, “Everything else does, why not that? If she was in high school, Wendy could sign up for after-school driver's ed, so I guess we need to ante up.”

I added, “This will increase the cost of our auto insurance too. Maybe it's time for her to find a job to pay for this stuff, like we did. I took my driver's ed at Ringer's Auto School in Lynn, I wonder if they are still in business?”

Finally, the bathroom was free, so I jumped in front of Ellen to wash-up for bed.

--ooOoo--

After opening up the office trailer, Wendy made a beeline for the laptop, quickly booting it up. Soon we could hear the clacking of keys as she surfed the internet, occasionally cursing under her breath.

At the coffee break, Wendy called Ellen and me to look at her computer screen. She had half a dozen driving schools listed.

“Ellen, look,” I said, “Ringer's is still listed, I wonder what they charge?”

Wendy quickly pulled up their website, and clicked on fees. I almost swallowed my coffee the wrong way at the prices. Quickly, she clicked on the other companies' websites.

“Every school has the same price,” Ellen said, “Six hundred dollars! You were right, it's twice what your first car cost.”

Wendy acted like that was nothing.

“Wendy, not only will driving school cost money, but as soon as you get your license, our auto insurance rates will double. How are you going to pay for this?”

“ME?” she squeaked, “I have no money.”

“Funny you mention that young lady; Aunt Ginny and I were talking about it last night while we were waiting for the bathroom. We think you need a job.”

“Where? How would I get there? What can I do?”

“Wow, twenty questions and from such a young person,” I quipped.

Ever practical, Ellen took over. “You can get a job at any fast food place, or as a clerk in a store. As to how you would get there, I see a bicycle in the garage, and if the weather's bad, Ginny or I could drop you off and pick you up at the end of your shift. Since you aren't in school, you could work during the day when the other kids are in class.

“When Aunt Ginny?”

“Whenever you want to go to driver's ed. It's only $600, you could earn that in a month or two, depending where you find a job and how much you get paid.”

Wendy was silent the rest of the day, and subdued after we got home.

Over dinner she asked, “When can we start looking?”

“First, you must have a Social Security Number. I have no idea how to get that for you. Back to the computer I guess.”

“But I thought all I needed was a birth certificate, Auntie Ellen.”

“Wendy; Ginny and I got a number when we were young children, our parents signed us up, so we don't have any idea how to get one.”

“No sweat Aunt Ellen, after I eat I'll look it up, then tomorrow I can get one.”

You have to love teenagers, they think everything happens immediately, no waiting.

Before Wendy could look up Social Security Numbers, the phone rang. It was Billy asking for Wendy. Soon, she was talking and twirling her hair. I guessed that was it for the night.

About 10pm, she hung up. She had a dreamy look on her face as she stared at the ceiling.

“Well” I said, “Did he ask you out?”

“Yes, yes he did, we're going to a movie in Danvers, then hanging out at the mall. We'll get supper at the food court.”

“Which movie?” Ellen asked. “A chick flick or a guy movie?”

“I don't know, did you ever hear of a movie called 'Fury'?”

“Wendy, you'd better think twice about that movie, it's about a tank crew during World War Two. Not only is it violent, but it's really bloody. You should pick something else honey.”

Wendy looked at me and I nodded in agreement. I found the morning's newspaper and turned to the movie section and handed it to her.

“Look for something you and he'll both enjoy, not too violent, but it can still be exciting.”

“How about 'Wonder Woman' Auntie?” she asked.

“Great ! Billy will love watching her run around in her tight uniform, and you will like the action.”

“I'll be cooking something special for Kevin and there may be some dessert left when you kids get back. Oh by the way, I want you home by eleven o'clock, not one minute later, or you will be grounded, no job, and no learner's permit. Now to bed!”

To be continued.