The Healing Horse, Ch. 41, Scene 2: The Speech

Painting of the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty in 1886

For Karen, graduating high school meant not only leaving her childhood behind, but beginning her career as a teacher and therapist. In dance and fitness, she would eventually revolutionize services to people with disabilities and inspire a new generation of disability activists. 

Next week, you will read her reflections on this step.

[Painting of the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty by Edward Moran, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons]

Scene 2: The Speech

Karen stood tall and walked from her line of classmates to the podium. She took a deep breath and looked out over the audience, the parents of her friends, and her own mother, staring up at her, mouth open, tears streaming down her face. Karen winked and spoke.

“Dear Mr. Sanchez, family, friends, and graduating class of 1968, it is with great honor that I stand here before you today. First, I want to thank all of you, but especially my mother, my dance mentor Gilberto, my teachers, and my friends. Without you, I would not be here. I would not be graduating at all. As your valedictorian, I hope your future will be bright. I hope it will light up your way, and I hope you will be self-directed in everything you wish to achieve. Like Emma Lazarus, the Jewish-American poet who saw the statue of Liberty as a beacon to the world, I hand you the torch of freedom.”

Karen looked into her heart and knew her memory would not fail her as she recited the one poem that meant the most to her.

“Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Karen took another deep breath. She had remembered it all. She exhaled. The auditorium was completely silent. All eyes were on her. Tammy and her friends were in tears.

She leaned toward the microphone and spoke in a quiet, intimate voice. “Let us go out from here to light each golden door. Let us light up the world and show others that we, too, can conquer.”

The auditorium exploded with applause as she bowed and returned to her place in line.

Original text ©2023 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 41, Scene 1: Commencement and a Surprise

Black & White drawing of a mortar board hate

Chapter 41 tells the story of Karen’s graduation from high school. It starts with a big surprise. Next week, you can read about how she deals with it.

[Image by AlexBuck328, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons]

Scene 1: Commencement and a Surprise

Time passed, and Karen spent a prodigious amount of time getting her body, as well as her mind, in shape. Some days, it seemed as if she barely had time to breathe, but her painstaking efforts proved well worth it.

She gained an athlete’s stamina and outlook by facing problems and challenges rather than running away from them. She learned the value of mentors, and to reciprocate the mentoring and friendship that had been freely given to her, Karen vowed to give back to the world around her unconditionally. This honorable commitment continued throughout her life.

At last, her high school graduate day came, June 14th, 1968. In the wings of the school stage, she waited in the tense, hot atmosphere with her classmates. Under her black academic gown, the beautiful white cotton floral dress her Mama had sewn clung to her body, as it should, beautiful, glamorous. She had accomplished something she never thought she could, graduating high school. As if she were floating, as if she were a movie star on a movie screen, she floated, entering the adult world she had worked so hard to attain.

She wiped beads of sweat from her upper lip. In ten minutes, she and here classmates would walk, roll, or be pushed across the high school stage to receive their diplomas. This would be a day for her to remember. Her only regret was that she could not push Tammy’s wheelchair. Mrs. Beaumont had reserved that triumph for herself.

She thought, Mama might not have a good seat. What if Mama could not see her?

Karen stepped out of line and peeked through the curtains. Mama saw her and waved from her seat, front row and center.

Someone tapped her on the shoulder. Was she in trouble for leaving the line of graduating seniors? She stood up straight and turned to look into the eyes of Mr. Sanchez, the school principal. Her eyes widened in appehension, but he smiled.

“Karen, the student who was supposed to be valedictorian and give a speech, is sick. Can you step in? You’re naturally articulate. I know you’ll find something wise and kind to say.”

“Thank you, Mr. Sanchez, but don’t you think Tammy is more qualified?”

“She would be good, but you are one of the few people who can understand her speech. Just say anything that comes into your head. Thank your teachers and your mother. Talk for two or three minutes, and you’re done.”

Karen took a deep breath and looked into her heart. She knew exactly what she would say.

Original text ©2023 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 40, Scene 6: Setting Up Her Studio

This is the last scene before we reach the final chapter of The Healing Horse. Young Karen now has students and a studio of her own, and she hasn’t even graduated from high school! Enjoy! (And that is Al Gilbert’s voice in the video!)

Scene 6: Setting Up Her Studio

Morning came, and the daytime celestial canopy shone through Karen’s bedroom window, as if to say, “Today’s the day!”

She awoke and donned her grape-purple leotard, violet tights, and lavender leg warmers. They matched the colors of Pegasus’ saddle. These colors held such fond memories, and she wanted her dance attire to have significance on this special morning.

She ate a bowl of hot oatmeal with butter, cinnamon, and raisins in the kitchen and then sealed some fruit and cheese in plastic wrap and popped them into a brown bag for later. The wall clock said Rocky was due to arrive. Karen picked up her tape player and the brown bag.

Outside, the friendly sun floated above puffy white clouds. She basked in the radiant light as she waited. After a few minutes, Rocky’s truck turned off the road and stopped in her driveway. The door opened, and he hopped down with a big grin on his face. Karen grinned back and pointed through the front door. They were both too happy to speak.

Rocky nodded and hurried in. In a minute, he came back, carrying the barre in one hand. He wrapped it in a blanket from the back of his truck and placed on the truck bed. Off they drove to her new hangout.

At the barn, Pegasus and the white-haired Mr. Hellweg waited with radiant smiles, as authentic as Rocky’s.

Karen, Rocky, and Mr. Hellweg went inside, and Pegasus put with his head through the Dutch door to watch the two men bolt the ballet bar to one wall.

With it in place, Kitten walked around the welcoming studio. It was her very own sanctuary, and it symbolized her new attitude.

“Have a great day dancing, and enjoy your new studio,” Mr. Hellweg said.

He and Rocky left Karen and Pegasus to practice her dance routines.

Karen felt waves of contentment and peace pass through her body. She walked over to a wooden table against the eastern wall, set down her cassette player, and selected the music she was going to use.

“Come on, Pegasus. We gotta practice.”

The music began. Recorded over the tunes, her dance teacher’s voice boomed from the speakers.

“Shuffle, front, side and back. Right leg… ready, begin! Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle, front. Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle, side. Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle, back. Ball change, turn.”

Karen’s body was well trained. The tap warm-up came with ease now.

Pegasus smiled. “I don’t think I could do that.”

Karen finished her bar exercises, walked out to the middle of the floor, and began doing step shuffle ball changes to help her improve her balance.

The afternoon flew by, and Pegasus thrilled with her. She was no longer a caterpillar, but had become a beautiful butterfly taking flight. As she danced, her wings spread wide with grace.

Pegasus and Karen returned to the red barn every day they could. They talked and laughed while Kitten practiced, practiced, and practiced, when she was not teaching or developing her chair aerobics method.

Original text ©2023 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 40, Scene 5: Sharing with Pegasus

Photo of white clouds in blue sky

As soon as Mr. Hellweg gives young Karen the okay to use his barn as a dance studio, she runs to share her joy with her mentor. Something big is happening.

[Image by James St. John, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons]

Scene 5: Sharing with Pegasus

Karen was on cloud nine. She ran out through the French doors and all the way to Pegasus’ barn, gliding through the air.

As she neared his stable, she waved. “Pegasus, Pegasus, where are you, boy?”

He walked around the corner. “Here I am, Kitten. What’s going on? You sound excited!”

Karen exhaled and tried to harness her joy so she could explain her good fortune. “That’s because I am. It happened on my way here. A big, empty barn. I never noticed it before. It was like it appeared just for me. I could barely believe my eyes.”

“Tell me about it.”

“It’s big enough to practice my dance routines and teach. Once my ballet barre is up, I can practice my stretches and shuffles and ball changes. Could you meet me there tomorrow morning at eight? You can critique my workout.”

She smiled with her childlike glow.

“I’d love to. Now let me give you a ride home.”

“Thanks! I need to call Rocky and ask him to help.”

Original text ©2023 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 40, Scene 4: Finding the Barn

Photo of red barn

Isn’t it wonderful when the universe gives you exactly what you need at precisely the right time? Young Karen has learned to trust the universe, and once again, it helps her in her growth into a dance instructor and disabilities advocate.

[Image by Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons]

Scene 4: Finding the Barn

On Monday, while walking to Pegasus’ stable after school, she noticed a nice-sized, empty red barn, just around the corner from an exclusive shopping district.

The barn was big enough for her to do her steps, as well as teach. Peeking in through the windows, she saw it had hardwood floors and mirrors that wrapped around the entire main room. It couldn’t get any better. She wondered if it had once been a dance studio, and why she had not noticed it before. But she would not question why. It looked like it had been made to order for her.

This would be just right for me! I hope I can find the owner. What a wonderful place to practice! Pegasus could even put his head through the Dutch door and watch me dance.

It would be a heavenly site to practice and teach, in a dream-come-true location, midway between her house and the stables. It could be her own special hangout. So, with no uncertainty, she walked to the main office of the stable that the barn was part of.

The office was around the corner, with some boutiques. Small shops, each one unique and alluring, filled three blocks of the street. They sold everything from candy to hand-carved artisan furniture to fine art and couture clothing.

The office had welcoming French doors opening from the sidewalk. Kitten peered through the glass at a blonde woman sitting behind a stately, cherry wood Boulevard desk. In her thirties, she had a chic Joan of Arc haircut sculptured around her angular chin. She wore a stylish gray jacket and gray maxi-skirt with a black turtleneck sweater. She looked up and smiled.

Karen thought to herself, Maybe I should go inside. Maybe I should ask this lady a few questions. Maybe she’ll know something. It couldn’t hurt. The worst she could say is she didn’t know! Right? Of course! Why should I be afraid to ask? I give myself permission to be brave. I won’t be afraid! My intention is now clear. I’ll just be myself and see what transpires. It will be a fresh experience in dealing with others. I’ve been through way harder things. This will be a breeze.

She held her left arm in her strong right hand and embraced herself as she nourished her inner self.

She remembered the wonderful feeling of liberation she had felt on the bridge Saturday night, but she knew she had to accept her fear and work with it in order to manifest everything she felt within herself.

Kitten also recognized that it was her fear trying to protect her. Thus, she had to walk thru her fear and become fearless. She had to demonstrate and prove this to herself and the universe. She had to send love to her fear and thank that feeling in order to walk through it and not freeze where she was.

When she asked about the barn, the lady at the desk replied, “Sure, I can help you! You want to talk to Mr. Hellweg.”

She pointed toward a small, older gentleman with short white hair, who was reading the New York Times.

Kitten smiled. “Thanks a lot,” she said, as she marched over to the man.

“Pardon me, Mr. Hellweg. Could I talk with you? The receptionist gave me your name. I saw an empty red barn down the road, close to the stables. I was wondering if I could use it every day to practice my dance routines. These exercises are helping me help others like myself, who have cerebral palsy. I’d like to get as strong as I’m able so I can give of myself and be an example! I give free dance lessons to handicapped children, and I am developing a kind of aerobics for people who have difficulty standing or using their limbs. I call it chair aerobics. I would like to use the barn for that, too.”

Mr. Hellweg grinned. He didn’t have to think twice. He saw the beauty of her goodness-giving light.

“That’s my place! I’m a retired stuntman, and I used to teach Judo classes and indoor stunts there, but I don’t use it anymore. It would be wonderful to have it in use again.”

With a contented smile, he took a deep, delighted breath, and added, “I’d love for you to work out there. It would be a joy to see you dancing and exercising there. I’m glad to be of any help to you, darling!”

Karen said, “I also have a big, beautiful ballet bar that my dance teacher gave me years ago. Would you mind if I brought it down to the barn?”

“Not at all. I’ll even help you attach it!”

Karen was so thrilled she was ready to jump up in the air and click her heels. “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you Mr. Hellweg. This is so generous of you! You don’t know how happy you’ve made me! Thank you so very much!”

Original text ©2023 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.

 

The Healing Horse, Ch. 40, Scene 3: Sunday Heart-to-Heart

photo of bagel with lox, cream cheese, and capers

Notice how careful Karen is with her mother’s feelings. This is not a take-no-prisoners revolution into adulthood. This is a gentle declaration of freedom and thanks. 

[Image by Newmila, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons]

Scene 3: Sunday Heart-to-Heart

The next day was Sunday, and Karen got up early to fix breakfast for Mama and herself. When Mama woke up, she smelled coffee and toasting bagels.

In the kitchen, she hugged her daughter and said, “My Krana Layala, thank you for breakfast. You really made my day.”

Karen had thought about what she had to tell her Mama and how to put it gently so she did not hurt her feelings. She poured her a cup of coffee and put it on the dining table with her own cup of peppermint tea. Then she spread cream cheese on half a bagel and added lox for protein before placing a few capers on top for extra flavor. That was for Mama. She made one just like it for herself and put them on the table.

“Thanks, Mama. You make my day, every day. Let’s sit down and talk for a minute.”

“Sure, my dear, but I can tell there’s something on your mind. It’s about the dance studio, isn’t it? I promise you, I can find a suitable space for you. I’ll get right on it and stay on it until I find the perfect place.”

Karen sipped her tea and dunked the peppermint tea bag before replying. She did not want to reject Mama’s help, but she needed to find a studio independently—in her own way and time. In her mind, these were two different things. She watched as Mama sipped her coffee in silence.

“That’s just it, Mama. I’m eighteen now, and I feel I should be able to do things free from outside help or influence. How will I ever find a studio independently if you keep aiding me? I feel like I can’t even do things interdependently. This is really important. I want to have my own sense of interdependency between us. I want to gain my own worth and self-confidence. This will never be possible if you keep taking control.

“I appreciate your help and everything you have done for me my entire life, but I need you to back off. How will I ever grow up and learn to do anything on my own if you keep taking over? And how can I be expected to teach dance if I can’t even find a studio space alone? How will I ever be able to live my life in this world if you keep doing these things?”

It was Mama’s turn to pause, and Kitten wondered what she would say.

Mama gasped. There was silence for a moment or two. “Do I really do that to you, Krana Layala?”

“Yes Mama, you do. All the time. I know you only want the best for me, but how will I ever live in this world and function as a healthy person if you keep doing everything for me?”

“I am so, so sorry I do this to you. I had no idea you felt this way… I never meant to hurt you like this. You are my daughter. My life. My world. I have no meaning or purpose without you! I understand what you tell me now and how I naturally take over. I really need to change and do something about this. Sometimes, I forget that you’re growing up and must do things for yourself. There is nothing wrong with that. Those are feelings we all go through, whether or not we are disabled… I even went through it. All people go through this in their lives. This is part of living life to become more of yourself. I apologize if I took that desire away from you.

“I also recognize that you want to rely on your strengths, resources, and powers to grow as a person. I don’t want to take that away from you! If not, you will remain my little girl, never knowing how to care for yourself. I am always here if you need me or my opinion. So, go ahead, my child, grow and bloom. I will support you and whatever you want to accomplish. I don’t want to be that mama you described. I apologize if I take those healthy acts of growing up away from you. I’ll help if you ask, otherwise, I’ll take a step back. All right?”

Original text ©2023 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.

 

The Healing Horse, Ch. 40, Scene 2: Advice and Healing

photo of decorative bridge

Sometimes in life, we reach a point where we must cross a bridge from one stage to another, from where we are to becoming more who we truly are. This is such a moment for Karen.

[Image of Decorative Bridge by Christine Westerback, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons]

Scene 2: Advice and Healing

She found Pegasus, and they strolled up the slope toward Joshua’s ranch. When they reached the Old-Fashioned Garden, at the beginning of his property, she dismounted. Inhaling the lilac fragrance and letting the spiritual essence enter her, she told Pegasus what happened.

He asked, “How do you feel about this now?”

“I’m grateful to Mama for trying to help, but I feel like she is my dear, dear Mama and will always be overprotective of me. But she is too helpful. She is taking over and doesn’t realize all the time that she allows me to do things for myself. This time, it’s allowing me to find a dance studio on my own. I want to learn from this experience. I want it to be my learning experience, not mine and Mama’s. I need to do this independently, and I hope she understands. I’m eighteen now, and I can do things for myself. At least, I think I can.”

“Do you feel like your Mama is holding you back?”

“No. Not exactly holding me back, but doing too much for me, so I can’t grow.”

“Kitten, the time has come in your life when you must take charge. That’s why your Mama could not find a dance studio for you. She could not find one today, and she can never find one for you. You need to grow beyond any limiting beliefs and distorted destructive tapes about yourself as a person with a handicap. This is your growth process, and your Mama cannot help you. You need to meditate and release all sources of negativity, fear, anxiety, and doubt. You need to accept what is taking place in the moment, in the here and now, so you can align yourself with the universe. And when you do this, the universe will provide.”

He let his words sink in.

“You’re right, boy. Let’s go to The Bridge of Silence, and I will meditate on this while the healing energy of the universe reintegrates me and brings me into alignment with it.”

She climbed onto her mentor’s back, and they proceeded to the tiny, arched bridge. She sat absolutely still on his back and turned her attention inward. She felt the healing energy do its work of detaching her from the half-truths that held her back and replacing them with the full truth of her self.

After a while, Pegasus said, “I sense you are now healed.”

“Yes. Let me also be grateful for this moment and this learning experience.”

Original text ©2023 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.

 

The Healing Horse, Ch. 40: The Red Barn

Welcome to Chapter 40, The Red Barn. Have you wondered how little Karen’s life would play out when she stopped being little girl Karen and became young lady Karen? First, she earned her driver’s license. Meanwhile, the world whirled on. But she stayed centered in her heart, guided by her spirit. In the story, her heart is represented by Pegasus the magical horse. In reality, it was me being true to myself. It was me, and I am still me. 

Remember, if I can do it, you can do it, too! Love yourself. Accept yourself. You are lovely, and I accept everything about you.

On to the next chapter! Stay with me!

[Image of MacBird performance by Steve Lang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons]

Scene 1: Growing Up Fast

Karen’s high school years passed, hairstyles changed, and hemlines rose. Lyndon Baines Johnson continued as President, and R. Crumb became the greatest living cartoonist, while MacBird! became a popular play, and the Viet Nam War raged. Twiggy, with her painted-on eyelashes, became the leading fashion model.

Karen grew from being sweetly naïve into a sophisticated young woman of the world. She was not afraid of being a normal person. Karen allowed nothing and no one to impede her. She felt good about herself. No one could take away her confidence and self-worth. She built her character and worked hard on this throughout the years. She was levelheaded, and so could confidently take on new, mature matters by herself and reap the rewards of her growing independence.

Mama was ecstatic that her disabled daughter was blossoming into a young woman who not only expressed her joie de vivre through dance and horseback riding, but who shared it with students. Karen dedicated every moment to becoming the strongest and smartest person she could be. She wanted to give back. She became the change she wanted to see in the world.

She not only studied with Gilberto. She taught at his studio. And she taught disability horseback riding for Joshua. He wanted to pay her, but she refused. Gilberto paid her, and she donated her earnings to help Joshua turn his disability horse ranch into a proper business.

However, she needed more space than when she was a child. Gilberto’s studio was too busy for her to use for practice. Besides, along with teaching classes for him, she had taken on several disabled children as students, and she needed a studio to teach them. Her bedroom was too small. There was hardly room to practice spot turns without bumping into the bed or chest of drawers, much less teach kids to dance. She tried using the living room, but it was not much better. Finding an ample, peaceful space for practice and teaching became Karen’s primary goal.

One Saturday morning, over their usual breakfast of bagels with cream cheese and lox, Mama said, “My Krana Layala, we have to find you a proper studio to dance. You’re going to hurt yourself trying to use your bedroom. You’re too grown up now. Nevermind those kids you teach. It’s too small even for them!”

“But Mama, I asked Gilberto, and he says finding studio space is nearly impossible. There isn’t enough to go around.”

“You just let your Mama do her magic. Didn’t I find you a stable for Pegasus? Didn’t I find you Miss Natalie, for your math? And didn’t I find you Gilberto for your dancing? I’ll use the phone book and the classifieds, along with my natural intuition. I’m sure I’ll find something for my girl.”

Karen left to spend the morning with Pegasus as Mama sat down at her desk with the yellow pages and the newspaper.

When Karen got back, they ate lunch. Karen changed into a leotard and tights with a light purple striped dress that had a bow in back over them. They jumped into Mama’s car and drove into town. Mama had found four places that rented out studio space by the hour. Unfortunately, the first two were dirty. The third was clean but fully booked during after-school hours. A rude man who operated the fourth scoffed at Karen for having a handicap.

They drove home, and Mama called some friends. No one knew of any spaces.

She hung up the phone and said, “Oy vey! My Krana Layala. This is tough, but I don’t give up. We’ve done enough for today, but I’ll keep trying next week.”

Karen looked into her heart before replying. “Thanks for being my Mama and understanding, but you’ve done so much for me my whole life. I need to think this through for myself. I need to go into our garden, amongst our serene oases and listen to my intuition. I need to listen to my most beautiful and powerful self before talking with Pegasus. I feel that now, from the direction Pegasus, Mama, and Gilberto have given me, I can make my own now. I will begin to rely on and trust the answers that are within me. As a young woman of twenty, I feel I can turn to myself and the choices I make. I will become emotionally stronger and I will become more self-sufficient and reliant.”

Original text ©2023 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.

 

The Healing Horse, Ch. 39, Scene 7: The Stop

A magical, spiritual influence has always run through my life. In this scene, I express my thanks. And it ends with me becoming a real California driving girl and listening to Simon & Garfunkel while I drive.

Scene 7: The Stop

Driving up the long road to their Topanga Canyon bungalow brought back memories to Karen. She gripped the wheel of the big Chevy and maneuvered it through the heavy traffic, but in her heart she dwelt upon Pegasus and all he had done for her, all he had given and sacrificed for her, over the years. Like Gil, he always stood by her. He always stood by her side and gave her the wisdom to cope.

She glanced at Mama. “Do you mind if we make a stop on the way home? You know where.”

Mama smiled. “I think that would be very appropriate.”

Karen drove past their home and on to Tex’s ranch. Pegasus was waiting for her. He stood in the pasture next to the parking lot, and when she opened the Chevy’s door and stepped out from the driver’s side, he neighed. That said it all.

“Hi boy,” she said, as she always did.

He grinned. “You did it, didn’t you, Kitten? You got yourself a driver’s license. Do you still need me?”

Karen nodded. “I will always need you in my life, boy. I got my license, but you will always be the one who brought me from being less than myself to becoming my true self, and riding on you will always transport my soul.”

He smiled and let her return to her thoughts.

Oh, how accomplished and proud she felt! Once again, she had proved to herself that she could do anything she set her mind to.

From then on, she drove the streets of LA, the Valley, Westwood Boulevard, and Santa Monica—wherever her heart desired—while listening to Simon and Garfunkel on K-EARTH, blasting on the radio, with the windows rolled down, and the beautiful California breeze blowing through her hair.

As she drove, she improved her skills. She found she could slide her right hand across the steering wheel to trip the turn signal. Her left arm grew stronger and straighter by reaching, extending, and stretching as she drove. Truly, just as she mastered dance and horseback riding, she became a Southern California driving girl.

Original text ©2023 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 39, Scene 6: The Test

You probably know how this scene will turn out. Karen is on a roll and scores another victory for her increasing independence. Hooray!

[Image by Atlantic Training CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons]

Scene 6: The Test

Over the summer, Karen completed her Driver’s Ed course and practiced driving every chance she had. Mama felt so confident in her daughter’s abilities that she had Karen drive whenever she needed to run an errand. So, driving the two of them from Topanga Canyon to Culver City was fairly routine for Karen. What was not routine was driving to the DMV to take her driver’s license test. 

As she drove, her mind churned about the written test. She knew she could pass the driving part, but was not sure about memorizing the questions in the pamphlet. After a few minutes of letting her imagination forecast failure, she took a deep breath. I can do this. I know the laws about driving, and even if I have to take extra time, I can pass the written test. With this affirmation, her mind stilled, and she breezed through both the written exam and the driving test. 

The short, chubby DMV clerk behind the counter pushed her curly brown hair out of her eyes, then smiled at Karen and said, “Here’s your temporary license. The permanent one will come by mail in about a month.” She slid Karen’s license over to her. For her, it was just another license. For Karen, it was a license to freedom. Karen picked it up, and her heart swelled. Beside her, Mama gasped.

Karen said, “Thank you,” but in her mind, she said much more. I did it! I knew I could pass the driving test, but I aced the written one, too. 

Mama threw her arms around Karen. Mazel tov! My Krana Layala. You did it. You can drive, now. I always knew you could do this, but now it’s official.”

They hugged for a moment, then Karen brushed the tears of joy off her mother’s cheeks. “Come on, Mama, we’re holding up the line. Let’s go outside.”

She led her mother out through the plate glass door and onto the sidewalk. “Mama, you’re more excited than I am.”

Mama blinked back more tears of joy and dug into her purse. “You’d better put that license into your wallet, my Krana Layala. And here’s something to go with it.”

She lifted a sparkling silver key and dangled it in front of Karen’s eyes. Karen held out her hand, and Mama gently placed the key in her palm. It was attached to a key fob.

“Oh, Mama.” Now it was Karen’s turn to tear up. She held up the fob. “It’s a lavender flying horse. It’s Pegasus.”

“I knew you would pass the tests, but without him, none of this could ever have happened.”

Karen wrapped her arms around Mama and held her close. They hugged, sharing the joy of victory. After a few minutes, they stepped back, still smiling.

Karen raised her eyebrows and grinned. “May I offer you a ride home?”

Original text ©2023 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.