Leo slides into the driver's seat and turns the key — the engine coughs, sputters, and dies with a sound like a sneeze. He blinks at the dashboard, his fingers hovering over the strange stick between his legs, and presses the key again. This time the car wakes with a loud rumble that makes him jump and grip the steering wheel tight.
The engine coughs, sputters, and dies with a sound like a sneeze. Leo blinks at the dashboard, his fingers hovering over the strange stick between his legs, and presses the key again. This time the car wakes with a loud rumble that makes him jump and grip the steering wheel tight.
Leo stomps the clutch and shifts into first gear, but the car jerks forward and stalls again with a harsh clunk. He tries a third time, slower this time, easing the pedal with one finger, and the car rolls forward three feet before dying once more.
Frustrated, he rests his forehead against the cool steering wheel and listens to the parking lot birds chirping nearby.
The fourth attempt comes together — Leo finds the bite point, the car moves smoothly through first gear, and a wide grin spreads across his face as the engine purrs like a content cat. He shifts into second gear, then third, feeling the car respond under his hands, the sunny parking lot stretching out ahead of him.
He shifts into second gear, then third, feeling the car respond under his hands, the sunny parking lot stretching out ahead of him.
Leo spots his dad's favorite parking spot and presses the brake, but the car groans and the engine sputters — he's in too high a gear and nearly stalls right in front of the lines. Panic flares as he fumbles the clutch, downshifts with sweaty palms, and brings the car to a perfect, quiet stop exactly between the lines.
Leo turns the key and the engine falls silent. He looks at the parked car, at the straight lines on either side, and lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
The afternoon sun warms the dashboard, and Leo whispers, 'I did it,' to the empty car.
The afternoon sun warms the dashboard, and Leo whispers, 'I did it,' to the empty car.
