Don't Take Dad's Car

by Csd3819 <Csd3819@hotmail.com>

"Thanks, Dad," I said and hung up the phone. I walked to the family room where Nick, my younger brother, was laying on the floor watching television.

"Nicky, who's your favorite brother?" I asked.

Nick rolled over, "Hmmmm....Sam is at Ryan's....so that's a lot of points in his favor......you've got some pretty stiff competition at the moment." Sam is our other brother.

"Ok.... How's this for points...Taco Bell or MacDonalds?" I asked.

"What?"

"What do you want for lunch, Taco Bell or MacDonalds?" I repeated.

"Mom's back? I thought she was teaching until 2:30?" Sitting up, Nick questioned.

"She is, I just talked to Dad and he said we could go out and get lunch," I answered mildly.

Nick jumped up, "You're kidding? Really?"

"Yup," I answered. "But, if Sammy is your favorite brother, I could go out myself...."

"Shut up, man. You win," Nick answered. "Taco Bell. Let's go! Um....Dude, I only have about $2."

"Got that covered too, bro. Dad said I could take a $10 from his drawer," I told him. My parents kept a little bit of cash in a drawer in their bedroom.

"Dude, you are on a roll today. First you get Dad's permission to drive and you get him to pay for lunch," Nick said. "How did you do that?"

"It's my job as the favorite brother," I said smiling. "Well, that plus I'm not above begging," I laughed. "I told him we were bored out of our minds and begged until he gave me permission."

"Awesome," Nick said. "Well, I'm ready. Meet you in the garage."

I went upstairs, got my wallet, took the $10 from my parents bedroom and met Nick in the garage. Nick already opened the garage door and was standing there looking at Dad's vette.

Nick looked at me when I walked up to him. I knew what he was thinking, and I looked at the vette too.

"Dude, we can't..." I started.

"I know. But _d_a_m_n_ it would be cool. I mean, come on, this baby is awesome. It's got 374 HP and has a top speed of 138..."

"...it does 0-60 in 6.3 seconds.... Yeah, I know" I finished. "And, I know Dad would have my ASS if I took his car out. Sometime I think he loves this car more then he loves us."

"He did say we could go out, right?"

"Yeah," I said, nodding, still looking longingly at the vette.

"But, did he say which car to take?"

"No, but if we get caught that'll never hold up."

Nick sighed, "Yeah, I know. But a guy can dream. Ok, lets go, I'm hungry."

I stood there looking at the car. "But, as long as we didn't caught and if we could get rid of the evidence....." I said thoughtfully. I looked at Nick with a sly smile.

"Well, Dad is on duty, so he won't catch us. Mom's teaching at the gym until 2:30, so we're clear there too," Nick mentioned. "I could put boxes around the car, so you would be able to park her back in the same spot."

"That'll work. Mom drove it yesterday, so I'm sure it's still set up for her, but I can drive without adjusting anything," I said. "What else?"

"Fuel gauge?" Nick asked. "Think Dad would know how much gas is in her?"

"Don't know. But, it's about 30 miles round trip, so that's about a gallon and a half of gas?" I calculated. "We have that in the utility shed, so we can add the gas back when we get home. You said you wanted Taco Bell, that's only about a half a mile from the gym. There is a possibility of Mom seeing us."

"Taco Bell? Did I say that? I meant MacDonalds," Nick announced. "Big Mac. Fries." Pausing, he added, "Mileage. What do we do about that?" Nick asked.

"I don't know. I don't think Dad keeps exact track of that. And, Mom did take her out yesterday, so Dad may not know the exact mileage anyway."

"Ok, so there is one calculated risk," Nick said..

We stood there looking at the car and each other. We knew this was wrong, but the lure of driving this car was so sweet.

"You know, not only will Dad kick our asses royally, he'll probably take away your license if we get caught," Nick pointed out.

"Yeah. And he probably won't let you get your learners permit on time," I added.

We stood there for about 15 seconds staring at Dad's car.

"So, lets not get caught," Nick said finally.

"Works for me, dude. I'll get the keys, you line up the boxes," I told him as I ran into the house.

When I got in the car, I could feel a swell of excitement. I'm gonna drive the vette! I've dreamed about driving this car since I started dreaming about driving. Dad has let me back it out of the garage before, but I've never been allowed to take it off the driveway. I fired up the engine and smiled at Nick. I can't believe we were doing this. If we get caught, oh man.... I didn't want to think about that.

Nick put boxes around the car so I knew where was when we get back home. Mom had the steering wheel completely straight, I should be able to pull the car back into the garage and with the exception of the mileage, we shouldn't get caught.

I backed out, Nick pulled the garage door shut and jumped in the passenger side smiling. Driving that car was amazing. I couldn't believe that I was driving a 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. It's a 16 year olds dream. It was almost completely stock, Dad had done only a few engine mods, and it was sweet. I felt like a king.

As much as I wanted to find out what 138 mph felt like, I drove the speed limit all the way to MacDonalds. I can't even explain the power this car had. I just touched the throttle and this baby ran. I was used to driving Mom's jeep - a CJ-7, so this was a whole new world. I felt what real torque was, and I loved it.

A couple miles from the house, Nick asked, "Any chance you'd let me drive?"

"Sorry, dude, Dad'll have my ass if he finds out I took the car; if he finds out I let you drive, I won't have an ass left."

"Yeah, ok, but it was worth a try. When I get my license, we gotta do this again, but let me drive, ok?" he answered.

"Deal."

Nick and I talked excitedly to each other. When we got closer to MacDonalds, Nick asked if we were going to eat in or go through the drive thru.

"Hmmm....Let's eat in. If we drop one crumb in this car, Dad'll find out. But, we COULD go through the drive thru afterwards to get another drink," I answered him.

"I like it. Good plan," Nick said.

We strutted into MacDonalds on top of the world. It didn't hurt that a few people we know where there. I bragged how I took the "old man's car" out for a spin. My friends knew it was bull _s_h_i_t_, that Dad would have never allowed it, but it was fun. After lunch, we drove through the drive thru as planned. We got looks that we ate up.

When we were almost home, I turned down a side road about a mile from home. Nick looked at me as I pulled over. His eyes got wide and bright. Raising his eye brows he asked, "What are you doing?"

I smiled at him, "Dude, you've got to drive this car." I got out of the car and walked around front to change seats with him. He got out and when we passed each other, I grabbed his arm, "Dude, this stays between us. Even if we get busted for this, we DO NOT tell Dad. You didn't drive this car at all, only I did. Agreed?" I held out my fist.

He nodded, "Agreed," and he hit his knuckles on mine.

He got in the drivers seat and smiled. "I can't believe I'm gonna drive this car. I've been dreaming about this for years."

I smiled at him. "I know. Me too. Go a few miles down this road and then come back. I'll drive the rest of the way home."

Nick drove up and he had a smile on his face that I can't describe. I'm guessing that is how I looked when I was driving. I knew he wanted to drive more, but he went up a few miles, turned around and pulled over right where we switched.

I drove the last mile home. As we pulled into the driveway, Nicky looked at me and said, "Thanks, Chris."

I smiled, "For what, you didn't drive."

We had a long driveway, but I noticed right away that the garage door was open. I hit the brakes and stopped the car. "Didn't you shut the garage door?" I asked Nick.

"Thought I did. Maybe Sam's home?" he answered me.

"Mom's jeep isn't here, so it's not her. It couldn't be Dad, right?" I asked him. I looked at my watch, it was 1:13pm. Butterflies were starting to build up in my stomach.

"No, Dad is on duty for another few hours. Either I forgot to shut the door, or Sammy's home. Oh _s_h_i_t_, what if it is Sam. He didn't know we did this, what if he called Dad to say someone stole the vette?"

"Oh _s_h_i_t_," I muttered and put the car in 1st gear and drove towards the open garage door. Our house had a side load garage, so I had to turn left to get into the garage. When I started the turn, I stopped to let Nick out but saw Dad standing in the garage.

"Oh God," I said to Nick.

"I'm not getting out of this car." Nick looked at me. "Chris, before Dad kills us, I want you to know you've been a great brother and I love you, man."

Dad had moved the boxes and pointed to the garage floor.

My hands started shaking and I stalled the car. I whispered to Nick without moving my lips, "He's going to kill us. You didn't drive this car. Remember, you didn't drive, it was only me."

"You sure?" Nick whispered back to me. "He's already gonna bust you good just because you are older. If he knows we both drove it might balance out some."

"Yeah, I'm sure," I said. "There is no way he could know you drove. There are no houses on Edlin Road and we didn't pass anyone. Just keep your mouth shut about that." I stalled the car a second time before I got her parked in the garage.

Dad was standing on the passenger side of the car when I turned off the engine. Nick opened the door and Dad yanked him out of the car. Holding Nick's arm, Dad shook him and yelled, "What the _f_u_c_k_ do you two think you are doing?"

"I'm sorry, Dad," Nick answered wincing.

"Get in this _f_u_c_k_ing house!" Dad yelled as pulled Nick into the house. I followed them reluctantly. Taking a last glance back at Dad's car, I thought "well, that's the last time I'm ever going to drive you."

"Where's Sam?" he demanded.

"At Ryan's," I answered. "Sir."

"I told you that you could go out to lunch, but I DID NOT TELL YOU THAT YOU COULD DRIVE MY CAR!!" Dad roared at us.

"Yes, sir," I whispered.

"What the HELL were you thinking?" he yelled at me.

I didn't answer him. I didn't know what to say.

"HUH?" he prompted, and grabbed my arm and shook me.

"I don't know," I answered quietly.

"You don't know? You DON'T KNOW???" Dad repeated. "You're gonna know in a few minutes!"

Dad shoved Nick towards the family room and pulled my with his other arm. Dad shoved me towards the sofa. Billy, one of our dogs, had been laying on the chair asleep. He woke up when we came into the room. Billy took one look at Dad and ran from the room. Wish I could follow you, buddy, I thought as I watched him scamper away.

"CHRISTOPHER STEPHEN, what HELL is wrong with you? When you got your license, I told you that you are NOT to drive my car. You are not insured to drive it....."

Dad's lecture went on for a good ten minutes. Instead of yelling himself out, he seemed to get more angry as he lectured. Most of the lecture was directed at me, like I figured it would be.

"Who's brilliant ideas was this?" Dad demanded to know.

"Mine, sir," Nick answered quickly. Nick was as scared as I was. At that point in our lives, he only called Dad "sir" when he felt scared or trapped.

"Actually, it was both of us, Dad. Nick went into the garage and said it would be cool to take your car. I told him no, that you'd kill me. He gave up the idea, but then I changed my mind," I added quietly.

"But it was my idea first," Nick added again.

"Christopher, did you let your brother drive?" Dad asked me.

"He doesn't have a license," I answered. I hoped that would end this line of questioning without having me lie to him.

"And you know you aren't supposed to drive my car, but that didn't stop you, did it?" Dad countered back.

"No, sir," I answered.

"Did you let your brother drive?" Dad asked again.

"He asked but I told him no," I answered. Technically I didn't lie, that was the truth. Of course, that was just splitting hairs; I knew I just lied to my father.

Dad leaned down and got right in Nick's face. He put his finger under Nick's chin and asked, "Nicholas? Is that true?"

"Yes, sir," Nicky answered quietly.

"Did you drive my car?" Dad asked.

"No, sir," Nick said, staring Dad straight in the eyes. I'm glad he ask Nick that question. I had a hard time looking my father in the eye and flat out lying to him. Nick never had that problem. He once told me it did eat at him inside, but he never let it show.

For a second I panicked. I thought maybe someone did see Nick driving and Dad knew we were lying. Thinking back, that couldn't have been possible. We were right by the house, and there are no houses on that road and we didn't pass a single car. Even if had been seen, we look enough alike so we could say that whoever saw us got us mixed up. We were in big trouble right now, if Dad found out we just lied to his face..... I didn't want to think about that.

Dad was still staring at Nick when I discovered I was holding my breath. Slowly I exhaled and tried to breath normal and look as if we weren't lying to him. Even thought Nick actually said the lie, I know my father would hand me my ass on a platter if he found out. Don't crack, Nick, I thought. I knew on some level Nick wanted to tell Dad to try and save some of my ass, but I think, in the long run, that would have been worse for me.

"If you brother would have let you, would you have driven?" Dad asked him.

"Yes, sir," Nick answered, his voice wavered.

"Why?" Dad asked.

Nick raised his eyes, "It's a vette! Why wouldn't I --"

Dad grabbed his chin and shook his face. "YOU DO NOT HAVE A LICENCE! You shouldn't have even entertained the IDEA of driving ANY car, especially my Corvette!"

"Yes, sir," Nick answered, his voice cracking. His eyes were getting glassy. I hated it when Dad yelled directly at my face. Always scared the _s_h_i_t_ out of me.

Dad let go of Nick and stood back up. He put his hands on his hips. I swear he started his lecture all over again. After telling us for about the millionth time, that we are not allowed to ever drive his car, he finally concluded his lecture.

"Nicholas, go upstairs and get me a belt," Dad ordered.

"Yes, sir," Nick answered and ran out of the room.

That's different. Usually he sends us up to his room. I guess since Mom and Sam weren't home, he figured he beat us here.

Looking at me, he said, "Stand up." I stood up quickly and Dad grabbed my arm. "Don't you ever try to snow me again, boy. Ever. You know perfectly well you did not have permission to drive my car, didn't you?"

"Yes, sir," I answered. I think that was the 20th time he asked me that question.

"You are not insured to drive my car. That car has more power then you are used to driving and you could have hurt yourself or your brother or someone else...."

Mom is usually the one that repeats herself several times when she lectures us, Dad's lectures are usually short and to the point. Not this one. I knew I'd get in trouble if I got caught taking his car, but I didn't count on this lecture. And the bad thing is, I was starting to tune him out. I couldn't help it. He kept repeating himself. I didn't want to listen to the lecture to begin with, so after the third or forth iteration, I was having a hard time focusing on it.

"Dad?" Nick said from behind us. "Here's the belt." Nick was holding one of Dad's belt by the buckle end for Dad to take from him.

Dad turned his head sharply at Nick. Nick kinda shrugged as he held the belt out to him.

Dad let go of me, finally. Taking the belt, he said, "Nicholas, stand over there. Chris, turn around, drop your shorts and briefs and put your hands on the back of the sofa."

I did as I was told. I didn't have to wait long for Dad to start whipping me.