Teaching, Learning

Rachel edged the car over to see if there was room to pass. "How many times do I need to tell you? Never break the rules!"

"But Mom, they're stupid!"

"Just because you think they're stupid, doesn't mean you shouldn't follow them. I followed the rules when I was in school, all of them."

The car in front of her braked.

"Pull over, you idiot! Why are you going sixty-five? Where did you learn to drive?" Her hand shot up before she remembered Lilly was watching. She clenched a fist instead, then slammed it back down on the steering wheel.

Lilly let out a theatrical I-can't-believe-this breath. "They don't even let me sit by my friends at lunch. We have to use assigned seating. All I did was move one chair over to sit by Megan. It wasn't a big deal."

Rachel floored it around the car. It was an old man, both hands on the wheel, staring straight ahead. No clue about the line of cars behind him.

"Give your license up, Grandpa! You're slowing us down!"

They were going to be late. She took it up to 85 and turned quickly to Lilly.

"Look. Follow the rules all the time, no exceptions. That is how you mature. That is what I have to do as an adult. You can't go around breaking rules because you want to or feel like you are an exception."

"I don't want to be an adult, if you have to follow stupid rules."

"I don't have to follow them, I choose to. I don't pretend that my wants are more important than the rules around me."

Rachel braked hard to make the turn. She saw a parking spot across the street from the studio and pulled in. They jumped out, but Lilly started in another direction. "Hey! Where are you going?"

Lilly turned and looked back. "The crosswalk?"

"We don't have time for that! C'mon." She walked in front of the oncoming car and knew it would stop.

She looked back at Lilly. "Hurry!"

They raced across the street and into the door.

She let out a deep, relieved breath. "We made it! Fifteen seconds to spare."