The first night in the new house is a success.
After dinner, snacks, and a movie, the kids went upstairs—Delilah to bed, and Zachary to do whatever teenage boys do nowadays. Probably watch Netflix or something.
The night was quiet, and everyone slept well.
The kids are finishing up their breakfast—cinnamon rolls, eggs, and bacon, thanks to an early morning run to the store while the kids slept. They’re just putting their plates into the dishwasher when a car horn alerts us that our Uber has arrived.
“Daddy, when are you going to get your own car so we don’t have to get into them with strangers?” Delilah asks as I’m locking up the house.
I let out a little laugh. “Soon, sweetheart. Real soon.”
We get into the Uber, and he greets us before taking off, already aware of our destination. I choose to sit in the back with the kids this time, right in the middle, and point out different things as we make our way out of Conway Park and into a more city-like area that I’m unsure of the name of. The driver gives us some information on a few things we pass by, like a park and shopping center.
It takes about twenty minutes to get to the Mazda dealership.
“Is this the surprise? Taking me with you to pick out a car I can’t drive?” Zach’s sarcasm isn’t missed as we exit the car and walk towards the glass door of the office.
“No, you’ll get your surprise after I pick up my new car.”
Delilah gasps. “You tricked me, Daddy.”
“Did I?” I smile at her, opening the door and Zach walks in, but she stops right in front of me, looking up with her hands on her hips.
“You did. You knew we were coming here but you said soon instead of saying now.”
I grin, and usher her inside. “Maybe. But that’s what Dads are good at.”
“Good morning!” one of the salespeople greets. “What can I do for you and your family on this fine day?” The man is young, but the expensive suit he’s wearing makes him look older, more mature than the baby face he has. His hair is dark brown, and he has dark-brown eyes and light skin.
“Good morning. I’m just here to pick up my car.”
“Sure thing. Right this way, please.” He gestures to the right and leads me to a desk where a woman in a gray dress suit is sitting, typing on a computer.
“Good morning,” she greets after a quick moment, looking towards me and the kids, her fingers still resting over the keyboard in what looks like a proper position.
“Morning.”
“Daddy, can I go look at the car?” Delilah points to the showroom car.
“As long as you don’t touch it, yes.”
“I promise I’ll keep my hands to myself.” She grins, showing off a few missing teeth, and then skips off towards the sleek, maroon car.
“Cute little girl you have there,” the woman behind the desk says with a genuine smile as I take a seat across from her.
“She’s a handful though.”
“They always are.”
Zachary pulls up the seat beside me, and surprisingly, he doesn’t go on his phone.
“So, you’re here to pick up your car? May I just see your ID, please?”
“Certainly.” I pull out my wallet and slide my ID toward her.
“Oh, Mr. Michaels. I believe we spoke on the phone. I’m Elle,” she says cheerily before clicking a few things on her keyboard. “Everything is looking good here. There are a few signatures I need from you though. I received everything from the insurance already, the plates are all set. You shouldn’t be here longer than five minutes if the printer behaves.”
“Even better.”
“We’re all about quick and convenient service here.” She gets up and walks over to a large printer against a wall a few feet away. It silently prints out quite a few sheets of paper, and when it’s done, she picks them up and brings them back over. Elle sits back down and flips through the pages, highlighting a few spots.
“These are just the forms you filled out online. You’ve had eyes on them already, we just need a wet signature. Feel free to read through them again for accuracy, of course.” She slides them over and I pick them up along with the pen she offered. I browse through, reading quickly, and sign where needed.
“Perfect. Would you like a hard copy or would you prefer email?” She looks up at me.
“Email, definitely.”
“Wonderful. Once I scan these in at the end of the day, I’ll be sure to send them over to the email we have on file.” She gives me my ID back, gets up again, and moves to a lock box at the opposite end of where the printer was. I watch as she stands there for a moment, dragging her finger along the rows of keys before finding the one she needs. She plucks it off the hook and walks back over with a gleaming smile, stopping beside me and my son, and holding out the key to me.
“I hope you enjoy her. If you have any questions, concerns, or issues, don’t hesitate to call. Arnold here will show you to your new car.”
“Thank you very much.” I take the key from her and offer her a smile, placing my hand on Zachary’s shoulder to let him know it’s time to go. “Come on, Delilah, new car time,” I say loud enough for her to hear.
She runs around the car to me, careful not to touch it, shouting, “Yay! Yay! Yay!”
“Hey, what’s the rule with running?” I ask as she stops beside me.
“No running inside.” I give her the dad look and she looks at her feet. “Sorry,” she says in a solemn voice before looking up at me with a huge grin. “I’m just so excited!”
I pull her to my side. “Which is why you aren’t in trouble, and I only gave you a reminder.”
Arnold, the man who greeted us when we first came in, meets us again and shows us outside to where my new charcoal-gray, CX-9 awaits. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a brand-new car, and I can’t wait to drive this baby off the lot. It’s true buying a new car is a waste of money but screw it. This is a new beginning.
* * *
The place we’re heading to next is thankfully only a couple blocks down the main road. I wanted to avoid using my GPS to make this a true surprise for Zachary, so I memorized the directions and was glad when I saw how easy they are. I’m not usually great with directions, especially in new places. After only two minutes down the road, I’m turning into a parking lot, and only when I come to a stop does Zachary look up. He glances around before leaning forward and looking up through the windshield at the large sign that reads The Driving Academy in bright red letters. He turns to me with a truly happy smile. One I haven’t seen on his face in a long, long time.
“You’re serious?”
“As a heart attack.” I smile back. “Everything is all set. Just go on in there and get your copy of the manual. Classes start next week.”
“You’re not joking?” His face turns serious. “This isn’t a sick joke?”
“Zachary, I wouldn’t joke about this. It’s time you get your license. Now go before I drive off and change my mind.” I put my hand on the shifter to add to my point.
He unbuckles his seat belt so fast you’d think his seat were on fire. He’s out and in the building in just a few seconds.
“I can’t wait until I can drive,” Delilah says from the back seat, walking her bear around her lap, holding his little paws.
“Oh, I can. I think the stress of one kid driving is enough for the rest of my life.”
“What does that mean?” She looks up, meeting my gaze in the rearview mirror, her cute, little nose scrunched up in confusion.
“It means driving is a big responsibility, and it can be dangerous if you don’t do it right. And because I love you both, I’m going to worry until Zachary proves he’s a responsible driver. Probably after that too.”
She purses her lips. “Shouldn’t he have to be responsbable before he drives?”
I chuckle at her pronunciation of the word and shake my head. “That’s what driving school is for, but it takes time.”
She just shrugs and brings her attention back to Mr. Fluffers. A moment later, Zach gets back in the car and I finally feel the positive energy radiating from him. He puts the book down on his lap as he gets his seat belt back on, and all the way home he looks through the book, not picking up his phone even once.