Remember when you were a teenager and you got caught.....

[69MyWay]

So...we all have a cringe moment of some sort in our past when we thought we had the wisdom to make our own decision without our parents? And...some of us got caught.

Well - my son has started showing interest in the 69 Camaro. It took me talking about selling it for him to perk up and pay attention. Who knew?

Anyway - I've been letting him drive it to school (he turns 17 in a few days). My wife is a teacher at the same school and it is only about a mile away. He is a GREAT kid but...sometimes he doesn't think things through. You guys remember.

I just added him to the insurance policy too.

I was busy working (working from home still thanks to the Rona) and I get a phone call from him (about the time he is getting out of school)

"Dad...how do you turn the flashers on?"

Me - "why?"

"well - see...I'm broke down in the middle of the road in a bad spot...need to know...now"

Me - "Huh? Okay - here is how...and I'll come to you - exactly where?"

Pause....silence....pause

Me - "Hello - where are you?"

"I'm in the curve of the road - on the way to the park where the speed limit goes to 45..."

Me - "what? That's not on the way home from school..."

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Fast forward - a wonderful local LEO stopped with lights on and cleared traffic. He was in a bad spot - he helped me push it to a safe location where I could come back with the trailer and get it. Turns out the fuel pump took a dump. Easy to tell - I could check the fuse, feel the relay...and best of all, see the fuel pressure gauge on ZERO.

The cop was GREAT - very respectful and helpful...and yes, I wrote a nice thank you letter to his boss. I regret not having snapped a pic of the cop car full lights flashing behind the camaro in the middle of the road and the kid sitting in it like "oh crap"

**********

Got the car home (first time since I installed the electric winch on my trailer that I used it in six years! - was glad it actually worked). Current self THANKED past self...dang, that was a good investment even if I never use it again.

My boy was safe...and sound. Pump should arrive today in the mail (might to a YT video about that).

Did I yell at him? No...
Did I ground him? No...

I would have given him permission to go to the park - it was probably the most beautiful day we've had in 2021 as spring is springing....

But - he left himself in a dangerous spot because I had no idea where he was.

I waited till the next day to gently remind him why it is important to check in and ask. Being a parent is tough - you guys know what I mean. We would all have handled this differently I'm sure.

I giggled to myself...and thought the old car knew what to do - was actually looking out for him. Who knows what 500 flywheel hp and an old hot rod mixed with a 16 year old on the best spring day of the year would do with wide open back roads going to the park??? Rumor has it he may have been meeting friends at the park.