The Boy in the Woods (2014 Wattys Winner, Wattpad Version)

Chapter 39 - Wishful Thinking

May 1960

"Now, while you're lifting your left foot, ease your right one down."

Jess blew out a huff of air, but it did nothing to cool her face.  Cicadas buzzed loudly in the dense forest surrounding the barren dirt crossroad where she and Doug were parked, also seemingly irritated by the still heat of the late afternoon.  After wiping sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand, she gripped the steering wheel of Doug's car, feeling the vibration as the motor idled. 

Lifting her left foot, she released the clutch while pressing on the accelerator with her right.  The engine seemed to pick up, but then the car rocked forward and stalled.  She shot Doug an angry look.

"Like I said before, you gotta do it more slowly.  You're still letting go of the clutch too fast.  Come on, Jess," he commanded.  "Try it again."

"Okay, okay," she grumbled. 

She pushed the clutch to the floor, and turned the ignition to restart the car for the tenth time.  At least that part always worked for her.  When she lifted her left foot, she made sure to release the clutch more slowly, but when she pressed on the gas with her right, the car startled her by leaping forward into the middle of the intersection and she took her feet off both pedals with surprise, causing the car to stall yet again.

"This is hopeless!" she declared. 

"No, it's not," he insisted.  "If I can learn how to drive, you can."

"It's too hot to do this now.  I'd rather go home!" she whined. 

It was partly true that the heat was doing nothing to help her concentrate, but mostly it was that Doug had decided to spring a driving lesson on her while they were on their way home from school.  She knew from the time on her watch that Marty was probably already at the cabin and she'd rather just be with him.  The longer they took getting home, the less time she was going to get to spend with him.

"We'll go home in a little while.  Look, Jess," Doug said as he leaned towards her, his expression serious.  "I want you to learn how to drive because – well, I've been thinking about it.  When I go to college, I'm not going to need my car.  And if I leave it here –."

"You're letting me use your car?" she gasped, her eyes widening.

"Why not?" he said easily, a smile spreading across his face.

"I can't believe it!" she cried.

"This way, you won't be cooped up at home when I'm gone.  You can go see your friend."

"Thank you, Doug!" she exclaimed, throwing her left arm around him to pull him into a tight hug.

"You're welcome," he chuckled.  "It just seemed to make sense."

She grinned when she let go of him, her heart bursting as she considered the gift Doug had just given her.  Now she'd have the freedom to go anywhere she wanted, whenever she wanted.  She immediately imagined picking up Marty and taking him – she didn't know where, but any place off the property would be wonderful.  They could explore different woods and have picnics in entirely new places.  And she could see Louise too, just as Doug had suggested.  For the first time, the two of them could have fun night in town together.

"Ready to try again?" Doug asked, interrupting her plans.

"Yep!" she grinned.

After stalling the car two more times, she finally managed to get it successfully in gear.  Slowly driving down the deserted road, she concentrated on keeping the car straight.  Then Doug talked her into trying to shift into second gear.  It seemed that once the car was moving, it was much easier to deal with the clutch, and her change in gears was effortless.  After another half hour of driving, she had no problem starting from a stop and changing gears as effortlessly as Doug.