Drive to Succeed

Ruth sat calmly in a comfortable chair alone in the den, away from the bustling, hurried world. People were in such a rush these days. She loved living with her family, but sometimes it was nice to just sit by yourself and contemplate life -and she'd lived a rich, full life.

Ryan had come home early. "Hi, Grandma," he said, stooping to kiss her cheek. Here was the one person who could still see the spark of life in Ruth's tired old eyes. "I'm not bothering you, am I?" he asked.

"No, darling." she reassured him. "I always look forward to talking to you. Tell me, how is everything with the band? I know you rehearse so much. You must sound wonderful."

"Oh, we do, yeah." Unsure of how to proceed, Ryan decided to beat around the bush. "Grandma, have you heard about the big music festival out in the next county?"

"Oh, yes! I thought you would enjoy going to that." She eyed him suspiciously. "Your mom and dad said no, didn't they?" There was no fooling his grandmother.

"Well, they didn't exactly say no, per se." said Ryan.

Ruth smiled. "And what exactly did they say...per se?"

"They wondered how I was going to get there. All six of us need rides back and forth for at least three days."

"That's a lot of driving, Ryan."

"I know. No one's parents are going to be able to do it more than once. But Grandma, I know you're not going to be driving much that week..."

"Ryan..."

"And if I could get a licensed driver - Riley, you met him - would it be all right if we borrowed your car? We'll take really good care of it, I promise. We'll even clean it before we bring it back."

Ruth sighed and sat back in her chair. "If it really means that much to you," she said after a while, "You can borrow the car."

"Grandma, you're a life saver!" exclaimed Ryan.

Triumphant, Ryan coasted into rehearsal at The P*lace the next afternoon with the news that would surely make him a hero. How fortunate that Riley hadn't let his driver's license expire after all these years. He might want to take it for a spin first to see how it handled, so Ryan figured he would wait around until Riley's shift ended, and they'd go get the car together.

Everyone was already there. "You guys! I..." Ryan began.

Stacy immediately shushed him. Riley was on the phone, and they were all listening.

"But you guys, I got the car! She said yes! We can road trip!" said Ryan - at a much quieter volume. He was sure they would be ecstatic.

"Riley's been on the phone to the owner for almost an hour." Connie told him.

This brought Ryan's plans to a screeching halt. "Oh, man! Is he working next week?"

Connie just shrugged.

"Yes, sir." Riley was saying. "Yeah, I know. Well, you have a good time, and don't worry. You can count on me. Thank you. Yeah. Bye." As he hung up, he noticed Ryan had joined the kids. "Well, kids...I am working next week. But you can say hi to the owner for me, because he's going to be at the festival."

Kids Inc. groaned. "Now how are we gonna get there?" wondered Richie.

It dawned on Stacy what Ryan had been saying earlier. "So we have a car, but no one to drive it."

"Are you sure you can't ask your grandmother to drive us?" Devyn asked Ryan. "Maybe she can just drop us off in the morning."

Ryan stared at her. "Devyn, you want me to get my grandmother up at six o'clock in the morning to drag a bunch of rowdy kids into the next county?"

"We won't be rowdy," said Kenny, "we'll be half asleep!"

"I thought your dad was gonna be able to take us." Ryan said to him.

"Yeah, but only for the first day."

"We could always go a little later." Stacy suggested. "And if Kenny's dad is driving us the first day, she'd only need to drive us twice."

"It's our only chance, Ryan." added Connie.

"I just don't want to ask her." Ryan stalled.

"Oh, well," sighed Richie. "I guess there'll be other once-in-a-lifetime mammoth music festivals."

Just like that, Ryan went from hero to zero in 0.5 seconds.

Ryan elected to give up his space in Kenny's father's car with the rest of the kids. He figured it would be selfish of him, and they wouldn't really want him around now that he'd let them down. But it just felt wrong asking his grandmother to play cab driver, especially at her age.

It seemed like every time he turned the TV on, he saw that damn commercial. Everyone he knew was attending it. Everyone, that is, except Kids Incorporated.

For the remainder of that week, the kids would come into rehearsal and spend the first 15-20 minutes just glaring at Ryan. All of their buddies must've been there, too. He preferred it when they weren't speaking to him...because when they were, it was usually about the festival.

"So what are we going to do this afternoon?" Kenny asked everyone. "Here. In town. By ourselves."

They sighed. "Maybe we can go watch a chess match." said Devyn.

"Not likely." Richie grumbled. "The chess team's at the festival!"

"The nerds are having more fun than we are!" wailed Kenny.

"Billy the Gweeb said the remaining Beatles were supposed to be there today." said Stacy. She spared a glance at Ryan. "The Beatles, Ryan...playing to a gweeb-filled audience!"

"Well, maybe you should have asked him to take you." Ryan snapped. "Make a date out of it!" He knew Billy the Gweeb was Stacy's sore spot. Sure enough, she made a hideous face and turned away.

"C'mon, you guys," said Riley, "We've got fun here, too. Hey - we just restocked the freezer. You guys can have first crack at all the ice cream."

"That's nice of you, Riley, but we're all broke." Connie told him. "We all blew our allowances for the next year at the festival."

"Those of us who went to the festival." added Devyn, looking pointedly at Ryan.

Ryan sighed. "Ah, go ahead. I'll cover it."

Without even a smile or "Thank you", the kids went over to the counter.

"You sure about that, Ryan?" Riley asked.

"Either way, I'm going to pay for it." Ryan replied.

As he reached into his pocket for his wallet, he felt something soft - a hideous crocheted key fob. He'd forgotten to give his grandmother back her keys.

Baby, you can drive my car...

Suddenly, Ryan knew how he could make it up to the rest of the kids.

Good friends don't hold grudges for long, and the following day, the kids were willing to mend fences with Ryan. They found him walking along the sidewalk by the basketball court, with a book in his hand. He stopped, switched hands, and stuck his left arm out, bent at the elbow. He then turned right.

Confused, they approached him. "Ryan, what are you doing?" Connie asked him.

"About 15 miles per hour - I'm in a school zone." he replied.

Stacy took the book from him. "A driver's manual?"

"I've been thinking about getting my driver's license. No more missing out on stuff because none of us have a car."

"But Ryan," said Kenny, "you don't have a car."

"Besides, everything we need is within walking distance." Richie added. "Why would you even need a car?"

"You couldn't walk to the festival." Ryan pointed out.

"Is that what this is about?" Stacy realized. She handed him back the manual. "Ryan, that isn't your fault. You're not responsible for carting us all around."

"We were wrong to hold it against you all this time." said Devyn.

“I don’t blame you, Dev. But see, if I had my license, none of this would have happened.”

Kenny had been quiet for a while. "I think it's great." he said finally. "A man's gotta have wheels."

"I've just got to pass the written test." said Ryan.

"Well, if it requires reading, you'll definitely do well." Stacy said to him.

"I don't think I've ever been so nervous about a test in my life."

"We'll help you study!" said Richie.

"Yeah!" the others chorused.

The P*lace became a driving clinic as Kids Inc. made good on their word. They arranged tables and chairs to stand for buildings and cars as Ryan "drove" down imaginary streets. Maneuvering through the halls at school became a crash course in how not to crash.

Ryan literally ate, drank, and slept driving. When he wasn't at school or performing, he was buried in the driver's manual. Riding in his parents' car for the first time that week, the world looked completely new to him. Street signs were everywhere. There were traffic violations being committed left and right. By the following Saturday, he felt ready to take the written exam.

“Okay,” said Kenny, “just remember: take it one question at a time. Imagine yourself in the car.”

“In the car. Got it.” Ryan repeated.

“You’ll do fine.” Stacy reassured him as he paced back and forth. To refresh his memory, she asked, “What’s a broken yellow line mean?”

“Passing is allowed on the side with the broken line.”

“And a blue curb?” asked Kenny

“Disabled parking only.”

Connie’s question was, “What’s the speed limit on the interstate?”

“65.”

“In a business zone?” Richie added

“25.”

“You’re doing great, Ryan!” said Devyn. “True or false: You must stop before a railroad crossing.”

“True.”

"Even if there's no train?"

"Even without a train."

"How far," said Riley, "do you have to stay behind an ambulance?"

"Uhh...500 feet."

"You are definitely ready for this test!" Richie said. They wished Ryan luck and sent him off.

About four hours later, he returned. When he realized they were watching him, he smiled and started making engine noises. As he parallel parked on a barstool, he beamed, "Behold...my learner's permit!" They cheered.

"You're mobile!" said Stacy. "This is great!"

"So when do you get your license?" Kenny asked him.

Ryan chuckled. "I haven't driven an actual car yet!" he answered. "I need a driver over 18 to supervise me while I practice."

"I can spare a few hours." offered Riley.

"Thanks, Riley."

But the second part of Ryan's automobility would not be as easy to reach as the first. After a few weeks of rehearsing, his performance behind the wheel failed to please its audience. He slunk into rehearsal late one afternoon as if he'd been part of a funeral procession.

"How'd it go?" asked Riley.

"The guy said I took too long to react, and I didn't make a right turn fast enough!" Ryan griped.

"Well, you were a little light on the gas a few times...but I didn't think it was a problem."

"There was no one behind me, Riley! I had the light! No one else was going anywhere!"

"They were probably harder on you because you're a kid. Do you know how many times I failed before I got my license? First it's not checking your mirrors properly. Then your seat belt isn't completely fastened."

"Maybe I should have left the doors unlocked like my grandma does when she drives."

"My point is, nobody gets their license on the first try. You did fine."

The kids tried to console him. "It's all right, Ryan." said Devyn. "At least you tried."

But Ryan didn't want to hear any of it. "I'm going to go back and see if I can't get someone else." he decided.

"Ryan, I think you're starting to get a little obsessed with this." said Stacy.

He didn't appear to hear her. Instead, he pulled out his driver's manual - which was worn and crumpled as if he'd had it for years. "I was right!" he exclaimed. "I had the right of way, anyway!"

Kids Incorporated ended up being left to the side. "I think this license business is driving Ryan crazy." said Kenny.

No one saw much of Ryan after that. He spent every spare moment with his manual. He left school so early that no one ever had a chance to ask him what he was doing. Stacy found herself growing more and more concerned for her old friend with each passing day. She decided to follow him.

She usually got a glimpse of Ryan cutting through her hall on her way out, so she waited for him by the water fountain. He was so preoccupied that he didn't notice her tailing him. Twice she almost lost him because she had to go against the throngs of middle-schoolers desperate to get away.

As he turned left down an undecorated hall, something clicked in Stacy's brain, and she was able to anticipate his direction. She arrived at the faculty parking lot just after he did.

But Ryan wasn't as preoccupied as Stacy had thought. "Why are you following me?" he asked.

"I was worried about you." said Stacy. "We all are. What are you doing in the teacher's parking lot?"

"Driving."

"Did you pass the test?" Stacy asked him. Ryan didn't say anything; he just unlocked his grandmother's mint green monster. "Ryan?"

"You're going to be late for rehearsal." was all Ryan said.

"You're driving without a license? Ryan, if you get caught..."

"I haven't been caught yet."

"Until today!"

Ryan laughed. "You gonna rat me out to the principal or something? Look, I've got a permit, and unless I'm speeding or I hit somebody, they're not gonna pull me over." He started the car.

"Ryan, wait!" Stacy pulled open the passenger side door and hopped in. "This isn't about the festival anymore, is it?"

Ryan sighed. "I want you to be able to count on me." he said. "I don't like to let you guys down."

"Well, you are." Stacy told him. "The Ryan we know wouldn't break the law like this."

"Well, then, maybe you don't want to be an accessory to my crime spree." said Ryan.

Stacy sat back and crossed her arms. "I'm sorry. I can't let you drive off without knowing what you're leaving in the dust."

"Then fasten your seat belt."

Stacy did have to admit that Ryan was a competent driver. She'd never really paid attention when her parents drove, but she was impressed at how serious Ryan took it. He didn't even have the radio on!

"Why do I feel like I'm being tested again?" joked Ryan.

"Well, I'd give you a passing score." Stacy told him. "How come you didn't drive like this with the real instructor?"

"I did, basically. It's the little things that I didn't pay attention to. I guess I was just so gung-ho about getting my license that I wanted to get the test over with."

"You know that no one really cares whether you've got a license or not."

"I care! How many more things are we going to miss because no one can drive us there? How many more Beatles are going to pass away before we can see them? How much longer is my grandmother going to be able to drive? My parents aren't going to haul her around - they don't even want to haul me around!"

As Ryan got more and more frustrated, he began to drive more defensively. As he sharply turned right, he complained, "You don't know what it's like, I mean, you genuinely like your parents. I don't even have any siblings, and I get lectures on responsibility for myself and others! Who do you know that's more responsible? I thought it was a great idea, getting this car and having Riley drive it. It's not my fault that he-"

"RYAN, LOOK OUT!"

The car hit a garbage can, knocking it over and spilling its contents all over the road. As Ryan swerved to get away from it, they heard a horrible crunching noise. Finally, the car stalled.

Ryan and Stacy just stared at one another until they could catch their breath.

"Are you okay?" Ryan managed to ask.

"Yeah." Stacy replied.

"I didn't...I didn't even see that trash can."

"Yeah, it jumped right out in front of you." Stacy had recovered enough to wisecrack. "What do we do now?"

"I think something's stuck under the tires." Ryan got out and began looking under the car.

A small crowd had begun to gather along the sidewalk as Ryan examined the mess. He found to his dismay that an aluminum can was wedged into the front left tire. At this distance from the ground, the smell of decaying garbage nearly overpowered him. He crouched down to try to pry the can from the tire, and slipped in some unidentifiable goo. He looked up in time to see Stacy desperately trying not to laugh.

"Yeah, very funny!" he grumbled. He climbed back in the car and tried to knock himself unconscious with the steering wheel. It didn't work. "Looks like we're not going anywhere. If I yank that can out of the tire, it might only last for about 10 minutes."

"Doesn't your grandma have a spare tire?" Stacy asked.

"Yeah...but no jack."

"Maybe the officer's got one."

"What officer?"

"The one coming this way." said Stacy, pointing. Ryan's head hit the steering wheel again.

Nearly half the town - including Riley and the remainder of Kids Incorporated - witnessed Ryan and Stacy returning in the back of a squad car. His grandmother's behemoth followed on the back of a tow truck.

Ryan spent the rest of the month grounded and in disgrace. He'd never forget his grandmother's face when the cop spoke to her. She wouldn't even listen to his apology. He hoped his friends would be more receptive, although they were sure to be ticked at him too for being absent from the band for so long.

As he walked to The P*lace, he began to slowly notice how peaceful everything looked. He took a shortcut between some houses, decaying leaves crumbling under his feet. Kids were playing in their front yards. The lights on the Coco Club had been turned on, providing a familiar glow. He swung by the basketball court and leapt up to touch the net. In a car, these would have all been a blur.

His friends were surprised when a contented Ryan walked into The P*lace instead of a penitent one. “Ryan!” Stacy hugged him. “Are you okay? The police officer said your grandmother reported the car stolen!”

Ryan shook his head. "She never actually pressed charges." he explained. "She knew all along that I'd taken the car."

"You're not going to jail or anything, are you?" asked Kenny.

"No," Ryan laughed, "but my license is suspended for the next two years."

“You know, Ryan,” said Devyn, “we think you’re just as great without one.”

"Yeah, don't worry about us getting around." added Richie. "We'll take the bus!"

"Thanks, guys." said Ryan. "I know I lost sight of what's really important. But I think I found it on the way over here."

"Huh?" everyone said.

"I didn't want to drive in order to gain personal freedom, I wanted to drive because I thought I was supposed to. The whole time, I was thinking about how great it would be to drive you guys around, and I ended up hardly spending time with you at all. We have the best time just hanging out in the neighborhood."

"Ahem." said a voice. Ruth stood next to her grandson. "I think what Ryan is trying to say," she said, "is that life is short. Sometimes we tend to forget what really matters - until we take the time to stop and appreciate our surroundings."

"Grandma," said Ryan, "did you drive down here?"

"No. I walked." That spark of life shone in Ruth's eyes once more. "I thought about taking the car, but it looked so lovely after being washed and repainted and polished that it seemed a shame to use it."

"I'm sorry I took advantage of your generosity."

"I know. In fact, I came here to tell you that you've completely paid for the new tire."

"But the last time I looked, I still had 25 dollars left to go."

"Well...I don't have much of a head for numbers anymore." said Ruth slyly. She winked.

"Sounds like you got the Grandma Discount." joked Connie.

"Guess that means my credit's still good." said Ryan. He offered his arm to his grandmother. "May I walk you home?"

"You may." said Ruth.

"Let's all walk her home!" suggested Stacy. They held the door as Ryan escorted Ruth outside.

"You know," Ruth began, "I think I saw a blue jay on the way over. Oh, Herbie and I used to spend hours bird watching! I don't think I've ever seen one here before."

"Well," said Ryan, "why don't we take the scenic route?"

The End