The Fun Beyond the Fear

Friday’s class started at 6:00 PM. Karen and John were ready; John excited and Karen apprehensive. For the first time I heard Karen say to John, “I don’t know why I ever agreed to this.” Karen would have skipped the whole thing if it weren’t for the fact that the checks for the class were written and cashed. Her only attribute stronger than her stubbornness was her frugalness.  When they returned she had her book in hand, but still no smile on her face. She learned a great deal that first evening, found it worthwhile, but still looked at tomorrow with fear and trepidation.

That night I got the cooler ready and loaded it with Gatorade. I even made them a special lunch. The next morning I sent Karen off with a big hug and kiss while John waited impatiently at the car. He had been ready to go for the last half hour, but now it was 7:30, time to go, and Karen could delay no longer. Mark had a little league game in the afternoon, so with the morning free, we headed over to the Technical College parking lot to spy on them and see how they were doing. I confess I was really worried about Karen. I parked across the road in a shopping plaza and we hid in some bushes about 100 yards away, near the Mandarin restaurant. I didn’t want to make either one of them nervous. I didn’t want them to see the video camera in my hand. There were nine students in the class and they were both easy to pick out. John looked like he was born on a bike, and Karen seemed to be doing much better than I had expected. It appeared she was able to handle the bike around the cones, and while shaky around the corners, was looking comfortable and well-balanced overall. We watched for about 20 minutes and then headed off, comfortable that the day would end up being a positive learning experience for both of them.

I had dinner ready when they got home around 5:00. The Cardinals had won their game; Mark had two doubles and a single.  I wasn’t expecting happy smiling faces, but from what I saw in the morning I didn’t expect tears and looks of anguish. “I don’t know why you made me do this!” she yelled at me as she came through the door.

Me? She was blaming me? She was the one who agreed to do it. I didn’t make her do anything. The Helmet and gloves were tossed on the floor, right next to Mark’s baseball glove, and down the hall she went to take a shower.

I turned to John and asked, “What Happened?”  “Mark and I were there this morning and she seemed to be doing great.”

John proceeded to tell me that while the morning went well, the afternoon was a different story. Karen apparently had a bit of a coordination problem when it came to the clutch. She let it out while waiting in line and ran over the bike in front of her causing the next two bikes to fall. Then later, when it was time for the afternoon break, another embarrassing moment. The instructor told everyone, ”Hit the stop switch, turn off the key, and come on over under the trees.”  He should have added that part about the kickstand, for as Karen got off the bike, over it went.  “It wasn’t pretty, Dad” John said, “but I had a great time.”

That entire week that followed was hell for everyone. When Karen has something on her mind she likes to share it, and she did. All week. Her friends at school were unbelievably supportive and empathetic. John, Mark and I were going out of our way to make things run smoothly around the house. But her frustration was so great from the first Saturday that she almost didn’t go back the following week. Had it not been for the “don’t quit” philosophy we preached to the kids while growing up, I don’t think she would have.

The final session would start in the morning with the written test, then out to the parking lot to learn more maneuvers and even more time to practice. After lunch would be the skills test on the course with the cones, then back into the classroom for the final results. Regardless of how well you did earlier in the course, you must pass the written test and the skills test on the last day to get your motorcycle license.

When she left in the morning I believe she thought she had a chance to pass the test. We had her convinced that this Saturday would be a new day, a different story. She could do it – she could pass the test.