She jumped out of bed earlier than usual, too excited to sleep. She couldn't believe the day was finally here...she had waited so long. Today would be her first major "rite of passage" to adulthood. She would now have some freedom.
Mom drove her the few miles to the county courthouse. Here she would first take her written test, followed by her driving test. She had studied the book until she knew it front and back and Dad had been letting her drive the car for over a year now. Even knowing she was prepared she was still a bundle of nerves. They pulled into the parking lot. It was time.
The written test over, it was now time for the road test. A man approached, introduced himself and informed her he would be conducting her road test. He was middle-aged, short, slightly graying with a medium frame. He looked like someone's father and immediately put her at ease.
Pulling out of the courthouse parking lot they headed down the hill toward town. As soon as they were out of sight of the courthouse he slid over in the seat next to her. She flashed him a quick inquiring glance and he explained that he had to be able to see the speedometer and other controls. She wasn't fully convinced but continued through town.
Then it happened. As he instructed her to turn onto a road that she knew led out of town he slowly and gently placed his hand on her thigh.
Horrified, she screamed, "Stop that! Take your hands off me!" As he tried to calm her down and convince her that it was necessary to be nice to him and continue the road test she cried, "No, I'm going back to the courthouse!", which she immediately did, driving as fast as her shaking body would let her.
She couldn't get away from him fast enough. Once in the courthouse she told the clerk what had happened. She wasn't sure if they believed her or not but all she wanted to do was get out of there and go home. To her surprise, she was given her drivers license.
She later found out that she hadn't been the only young girl victimized by this letch, but maybe the first brave enough to report him. Even knowing that he was fired couldn't take away the bitter memory of a day that should have been one of her happiest.
Until next time...that's my view.
Kat
