"So, why do you let that freak run your life?" I inquired, as I threaded my way through the heavier traffic of the downtown area. "Does she treat everyone like what she did to Penny?"
Marcy nodded.
"Yes Sir." she replied. "It's just her way, I guess."
"It's her way of masking her own insecurities." I observed, as the traffic light ahead turned red.
I stopped the car and looked at her as I continued.
"Putting up that front is how she deals with the same feelings that you have. Deep inside, I'll bet you an orgasm, that she's terrified of someone doing to her what I did back there. Safe bet she was bullied or molested as a child, and now she takes it out on everyone else to make herself feel more powerful. It's all a front. At least you realize your meekness, but you're just as messed up on the inside; just in the opposite direction."
"What do you mean by that?" Marcy inquired. "How can I be like her, but completely opposite at the same time?"
"You're too dependent on others." I explained. "I don't think you are comfortable with making decisions on your own. You need someone to tell you what to do, and even if you could, I don't think you'd even know how to do a lot of things. When was the last time you did something on your own or spoke your mind?"
Marcy shrugged.
"I dunno." she replied honestly. "You're right, I need guidance from others to get by, and I really don't know how to operate things or make them work. I leave that up to Sara. As for speaking my mind, I did once when I was a kid. My father got so mad at me that he turned red in the face and started screaming at me. He leaned in and told me to never speak unless spoken to again. I guess I haven't."
"It scarred you for life." I observed. "Believe it or not, I used to be almost as timid as you are now."
"No way!" she exclaimed. "No fucking way you were ever just like me."
"Yeah way," I responded with a smile, "and look at how you just spoke up! You're away from that controlling bitch less than thirty minutes, and you're already growing a little backbone. How did it feel?"
Marcy looked at me in surprise.
"I'm sorry!" she apologized. "I didn't mean to-"
"Stop!" I said quietly, as I pulled into the graveled parking area of a closed nursery. "Don't say you're sorry, Marcy. You've got to stop being a mouse all the time."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be." she replied meekly.
"You just did it again." I responded.
"I'm sorry, Sir." she responded.
"Marcy..."
"Yes Sir?"
"Stop being so fucking obsequious."
"I haven't heard that word since I was in college." she said with a smile. "It's like something you'd learn for a spelling bee. I never thought I'd hear someone use it in real life."
"How long were you in college?" I inquired.
"Just a semester." she replied. "That's where I met Sara. She told me to drop out and be her girlfriend."
"So you just quit school because she told you to?!" I demanded. "Marcy!"
"Yes, just like I'm going to live with you now, because you told me to." she replied. "I told you, I can't make these decisions on my own. I need someone to tell me what to do."
"Do you have a job?" I inquired.
"Yes. I work at a quickie mart." she said quietly, dropping her eyes.
"Do you have a car?"
"No. Sara takes- well, took me to work. I have a driver's license; just no car. I can't afford the payments. Sara takes all of my money anyway. She says it's my contribution to our relationship. I get twenty dollars a week to spend."
"What a fucking cunt!" I spat. "When was the last time you drove a car, Marcy?"
"About five years ago." she admitted. "Sara won't let me drive."
"It's a wonder that two of you could even fit into that deathtrap." I remarked. "Ever drive a stickshift?"
"Just on a dirt bike when I was a kid." she responded "Why?"
I reflected for a moment before I responded.
"Marcy," I said quietly, "get out of the car."
She looked at me with a terrified expression on her face.
"Did I upset you?!" she asked fearfully. "I didn't mean to!"
"Marcy," I said softly, "you didn't upset me. I want you to switch places with me."
"What?!" she responded incredulously. "Why? I can't drive this car!"
"Because I'm going to teach you how to drive a stick." I replied. "Now get out of the car and get in the driver's seat."
Marcy stared at me in astonishment, but exited the car anyway. We swapped places, and I looked over at her.
"I don't think I can do this." she faltered.
"You can, and you will." I stated. "When you rode a bike, you shifted by ear, right?"
Marcy nodded.
"Yes Sir," she responded, "but this is a hundred thousand dollar car!"
"It's the same principle." I said encouragingly. "Look at the gear pattern on the knob, and shift when it sounds right. Just clutch with your left foot, instead of your left hand."
Marcy took a deep breath and nodded.
"Okay," she replied, "I'll give it a shot."
"That's what I wanted to hear." I said with a smile. "Adjust your mirrors, and make damned sure there's no traffic coming when you pull out."
Marcy nodded, and gingerly put the car into first gear. She drove around the parking lot a few times to get used to the feel of everything, and then cautiously pulled onto the road.
"Listen to the engine." I instructed. "Sounds good now, right?"
She nodded.
"Shift into second. Do the same thing for third when it sounds right."
She pushed the clutch in, and shifted into second gear. It was a bit of a hard shift, as she let off the clutch a bit too quickly. I winced as my beloved Porsche bucked a bit, but I had offered to teach her to drive a manual transmission and had to deal with the consequences.
"That's okay." I said encouragingly. "You're doing fine. It'll get smoother as you get the feel for it. Hit third."
Marcy did as she was told, and this time, the shift was indeed, much smoother.
"There you go!" I complimented her. "Speed limit out here is 55, so keep it around 45 or so, until you get more comfortable, okay?"
"Yes Sir." Marcy replied. "This is great!"
"Just like a box of frosted flakes in a sports car." I said with a smile. "Tony the Tiger drives a Porsche."
She giggled in response and seemed to relax a bit, although she was still driving a bit slow for the road. I noticed a black SUV catching up to us, due to her speed, but I paid it no attention. That is, until a young deer suddenly bolted out in front of us.
"Oh shit!" I hollered. "Brake AND clutch!"
We skidded to a stop, along with the high-pitched squeal of burning rubber behind us. Thankfully, there was no impact, or the sickening sound of scrunching plastic, aluminum and cheap Chinese steel. I was relieved to say the least, but then it quickly got a bit sketchier, as the SUV immediately lit up with what seemed like thousands of flashing blue LEDs.
"Oh no!" Marcy exclaimed, as the officer exited the vehicle and approached us. "Am I in trouble? What do I do?! Oh Jack, what do I do?!"
No." I replied. "And you're not. He just hit the lights for safety reasons. Roll the window down and keep both hands on the wheel."
She looked terrified, but did as she was told. She was after all, used to being told what to do, and any guidance in a scary situation like this was more than welcome to her.
The officer approached the car and leaned into the open window. I smiled, as I knew him rather well. We were both members of a law enforcement motorcycle club, and I had known him for at least a decade.
"Are you okay, Ma'am?" he inquired professionally.
I peered around my terrified pet and addressed him.
"Hey Jeff!" I said enthusiastically.
"Hey there, Jack- I mean Commissioner." he stammered, as he recognized me. "I mean, um..."
"We're fine." I assured him. "And I really appreciate your not ramming us in the ass. I'm teaching my friend how to drive a stick, and she kind of panicked when that deer ran out in front of us. Sorry."
"Um, you're teaching her how to drive a manual transmission in a Porsche?!" he exclaimed. "Oh, never mind. No harm no foul."
"Perhaps I should drive the rest of the way." I suggested, smoothing everything over. "Marcy, let's switch back. That okay, Jeff?"
"Fine with me." he agreed. "It was a legitimate stop, and I was a bit too close. I'll talk atcha later."
Twenty minutes later, I pulled into my driveway. It was a bit overgrown on either side, as I hadn't yet cut out the redbuds that had taken over, but it also gave it a bit of a country feel, even though the house was located in one of the largest cities in the South.
"Here we are!" I said cheerfully, as I parked the car. "This is your new home, Marcy. I hope you like it."
Marcy looked around, as she exited the car. Our neighborhood had been built on an old farm, back in the 50s, and my lot was fortunate enough to have three of the local treasure trees in the back yard; presumably where an old house stood before. Thank goodness they hadn't cut those trees down when they built the house! It was mostly shaded, and a few outbuildings and overgrown areas left it completely secluded from the rest of my neighbors. I could come outside without any clothes on; without any worries of being seen. I loved the solitude, and I loved being clothes-free, but now, I had a bit of a wrench thrown into my gears. The only upside I could see at the moment, was that Marcy was that wrench, and I was fairly confident that I wielded it.
"This is so quaint" she exclaimed, as she got out of the car. "Oh Jack, this is like a slice of heaven, compared to Sara's trailer. This is my new home?"
