7. Lesson Time, Princess! (Custard's Last Flan)

Saturday, 9:16 AM.
Kim took a bite from her second piece of toast while slipping two slices of bread into the toaster for William, who had taken a shower and was now sitting on the couch, watching TV. She buttered the toast when it popped up, and brought a small paper plate into the living room with a glass of orange juice. "Good morning baby," she said, presenting William with his breakfast and a kiss.

"Good morning my love," returned William, noting Kim's outfit - her original trademark jeans and green tank top. "There's a look I haven't seen in a while."

"I just threw something on," she said. "You don't like it?"

William smiled. "Kim...you could make a burlap sack look good. I just haven't seen your original outfit in a while. It's actually a pleasant surprise."

Kim grinned and sat next to William. "It's nice to sleep in once in a while, isn't it?"

"It sure is," he replied. "And the best part? We get to do it again tomorrow."

"But Monday, we go back to the work routine," Kim commented and smiled wider, settling further into the couch. "That sounds so...satisfying...'we'."

William took a sip of his juice and started on his toast while Kim slid her arm around his shoulders. "So what's on--GAHHH!" she shrieked, pointing at the TV. "William, what - ARE - you watching?"

"Nothing really," he replied. "Just killing time until your show comes on."

"'Nothing really' is right," said Kim with a stern expression, shaking her outstretched finger at the screen. "LIZ-ZIE MC-GUI-RE!?? If you're just 'killing time,' you could be watching 'Plant Talk'...'This Old House'...news from Lichtenstein...CRICKET scores...Please, ANYTHING but...but THAT." She nearly dove to reach for the remote on the coffee table and randomly stabbed a couple buttons. A dog in a sweater appeared on the TV, jumping over a fence. Kim set the remote down on William's leg and looked at him with a crooked grin. "See? This is a much nicer dog than--" She drew the last out with an ugly pout "Liiiizzzzzieeeeeeeeeee..."

William looked at his wife. "I've never really watched the show...you really feel pretty strongly about this..."

"You bet I do...I'm sorry, but yes - I do," she said, pushing back against the couch and folding her arms. "I don't even want to count how many times one of my episodes has been pre-empted for one of her stupid marathons..."

"I had no idea," William said, bringing up his hands to imitate writing. "Note - None of the L-word in the Hodge house." He then made the motion to circle it several times. Kim smiled sweetly and reached over, making the motion of several underlines on his hand. She then clasped William's hand in hers, and settled to watch the TV. They both burst out laughing as it showed a tape of a cat flushing a toilet by itself, and falling in.

10:29 AM.
"That's great! ...just great," Kim lip-synched her last line from the episode, "Royal Pain," and started to dance while seated on the couch as the closing music began.

"That's not exactly my favorite episode," William said, drinking the last of his juice and standing to rinse the glass.

"You're not alone," smirked Kim. "Prince Wally is every bit as much of a snot off the set as on." She moved to the tall chair at the nook. "You know, I read a poll that said 'Royal Pain' was the least-liked episode...right after 'Downhill'."

"Let me guess," William asked. "DNAmy?"

"Yep. She's one of those villains that prooobably won't be back."

"But, like every episode, 'Downhill' has its good points."

Kim burst into a snicker followed by uncontrollable giggles as she hid her face in her arms. Her head then perked up. "Bon-Bon," she said with a silly expression. "HAHAHAHA!! She sooooooo hates that! It's good for getting her attention, though," she said, wiping her eye and still giggling. "Ever notice how there's never been an episode with Bonnie and Shego in the same scene? It's because they can't work together without getting into it."

"Bad chemistry?"

"Bonnie always used to offer, umm, 'helpful hints' for Shego before or during one of her scenes...one day it came to a head, and Shego nearly lost it. She stomped over to Bonnie right before a scene in 'Bueno Nacho,' smiled so sweetly at her, and said, 'Look - MISSY - I'm sure you think you're 'helping' and all...but if you get in my face just one more time, I'll shred you like a government document.' I had to bury my face in my backpack to keep from laughing too loudly." Kim fell back into laughter again. "He-heeee...Bonnie didn't say anything - she just stormed off to her dressing room - and we had to hold up the scene for a half hour...between people laughing off camera and the sound of Bonnie trashing her room, we couldn't get anything done! HAHAhahaha!" William joined in her laughter, sitting on the other side of the nook.

"You remember the scene?" Kim continued. "It was where Shego flipped over my head and landed on a stack of boxes I had just climbed? Her line was 'Lesson time, Princess'? She was supposed to have said that in a kind of sly, sweetly-evil tone...but she was still tweaked from the Bonnie thing. They left it in anyway. She told me later that she was so angry, she was actually trying to hit me. When she put her hand through that box? That wasn't part of the original script. The second shot of our fight? I was doing all I could to avoid her...she was throwing those kicks at full speed."

"How come you never tell me stories like this...about your work in the show?" William asked.

"I dunno...I didn't think you'd be that interested. It's no big, other than the funny stuff like that."

"I guess I should have asked more about it before now," he said. "I love to hear stuff like that."

"Remind me to tell you someday about the fling between Shego and Steve Barkin," said Kim. The doorbell rang, and she rose to answer it. "That scene in Tick-Tick-Tick where I throw her just as Steve comes through the door? That started the whole thing," she laughed softly over her shoulder as she walked around the couch and to the door, swinging it open wide.

Marcy stood on the stoop dressed in jean shorts, a white tank top and an unbuttoned short sleeve shirt. "Good morning, my student," she smiled wide.

"Maaarrrrrcyyyyy," Kim drew out, stepping back and sweeping her arm to motion Marcy inside. "What a pleasant surprise! What brings you here on this bright beautiful morning?" She turned to William. "Look who came to pay a visit, honey!"

William just snickered and waved at Marcy while Kim was struggling to keep in control. Marcy glanced first at Kim - then to William. "Did...you have pasta last night?" she said slowly, holding up her hand and pointing toward Kim from behind it, as if to hide it. "Did that pasta have mushrooms in it, by any chance? Did you check the expiration date on the can of mushrooms?"

Kim could hold back no longer, covering her hand with her mouth to try to stifle her increasing giggles. Marcy took a step back, canting her hips and placing one hand on them. She looked Kim up and down once, pursing her lips into a smirk. "Girl? What'cha smokin'? And gimme some."

Kim burst out an exhale, doubling over and laughing as she came up. "I'm sorry," she said, giving Marcy a warm hug. "I'm just in such a good mood this morning. I was telling William how crazy things can get on the set of the show."

"I caught about the first half of this morning's show before I left the house," Marcy said.

"How about that Prince Wally?" William chimed.

"You mean David Morris in a wig?" quipped Marcy.

"Whoa," laughed William. "Maybe I should ride in the trunk this morning."

Kim and Marcy broke into giggles at this. Then Kim placed her hand on the back of Marcy's arm. "C'mon," she said, starting toward the hall, "I've been dying to show you the new toy you asked about on the phone yesterday." William followed them into the bedroom. Kim held out her hands in the direction of the sparring dummy. "Ta-da," she grinned.

Marcy walked over to the dummy. "Wow," she said, smoothing her hand over the canvas. She then gave a slight shove against it. "Pretty sturdy."

"The base is filled with sand. It stands up to a pretty good full-contact session."

Marcy pointed to a small scuff near the top edge of the canvas. "Is...that a footprint??"

"Flying reverse spin kick," beamed Kim.

Marcy's eyes got wide. "That's got to be six feet at the least. How--"

"Stretching," Kim said.

"And to think all they've taught us so far in class is how to dig our heel into someone's instep, gouge at their eyes with a key and kick them in the groin," said Marcy. "But...you don't have time to stretch in a real fight with someone."

"True. That's what adrenaline and conditioning are for."

Marcy took on a sly grin. "Care to show me a little?"

"O-kaaay," said Kim, sitting in the chair at the desk. "But not in these shoes. They'll dig in and I might twist something." She slipped off her white sneakers and approached the dummy. "Stand over there," she motioned to Marcy - then took a fighting stance and began to bounce slightly on the balls of her feet. Suddenly she lashed out with her left fist and struck the canvas, giving a forceful exhale. Two more quick lefts, and a forceful right into the dummy. Marcy jumped back a bit in surprise as Kim gave a quick left-right, then brought up her left leg in a midsection kick. She set herself, then threw her body into a spin kick to the right, striking the dummy more than halfway up with her right foot and a forceful "HA!" She landed and her foot slipped a bit, causing her to throw her hands out to stop her fall.

Marcy immediately walked over and placed an arm around Kim, presenting her to William. "Meet my new best friend," she said, causing he and Kim to giggle. "That's amazing. God help anyone who messes with you."

"Well...it's actually more for exercise than anything else," Kim grinned, "...but yeah...it could come in handy if I ever get into a bad situation."

A white puff appeared between William's feet, from under the bedspread. -mew-

"Awwww," Marcy cooed. "Who is this?"

Kim patted the bed, and the kitten clawed her way up, nuzzling Kim's arm. "This is Angel Mist," she said rather proudly. "We got her just this week."

William moved aside as Marcy sat on the bed, collecting the kitten into her arms. "She's just so precious. I have a calico at home." She curled a finger under Angel's chin, and she responded by nudging and sliding her face against Marcy's hand, one side and then the other.

Kim stood to go to the chair and put on her shoes. Angel perked and spotted Kim's stocking feet, curling into a position to leap from the bed, her tail twitching madly. "She's set to get you," Marcy commented.

Kim whipped her head around at the kitten. "Uh-oh," she said, jumping to stand on the bed just as Angel leaped to the floor. Kim turned to Marcy, wiggling her eyebrows. "Timing," she said with a knowing grin. At that moment, Angel's head appeared above the edge of the bed as she clamored up the spread. Kim jumped into William's arms with an "eep," his arm under her knees.

"Persistence," quipped William, wiggling his eyebrows.

Marcy couldn't help but giggle. "You two already have a routine."

William moved to the chair, and let Kim down to put on her shoes. She kept both feet on the edge of the seat and slipped on one of her shoes, tying it. "There's no escape from the wrath of Kitty Fist," she said, "but I'm getting better at it."

"Maurice used to be a toe hunter when I first got him," said Marcy. "But someone told me to get a spray bottle and spray him when he did it. He pretty much quit that after about a week of getting spritzed."

Kim reached past her right shoulder to the desk. "You mean like this spray bottle here?" she grinned.

"Yes, almost exactly like that. Have you used it yet--Hey!"

Kim had spritzed her square in the face, and now sat there with a wide smirk on her face. "Uhhh....yes?" she giggled.

Marcy wiped her face with a corner of her shirt and giggled as well. "Can I bite your toes before you spritz me again?" Kim burst into laughter at this. Marcy then stood, looking at William. "I think this might be her way of saying that she's anxious to go driving."

"I am," Kim said, turning to read the small clock on the desk, "but it's almost lunchtime. Feel like a quick salad? We just got some lovely Romaine cellust."

William's eyes got wide for a second - he then turned to face the hall, trying to hide a snicker. Marcy cocked an eye at Kim. "...cellust?"

Kim's mouth dropped slightly. "Huh? What did I say? Of course, I meant to say Romaine cellust." She then realized her slip-up, and lowered her head to the desk, blushing profusely.

"Not to interject a pun," said William, "but 'lettuce' assume she meant 'lettuce'," he grinned while blushing a bit himself. Kim brought her head up, nodding with a sheepish grin.

"Oh," smiled Marcy. She then shook her finger at William. "Don't get started with the puns, William Hodge. You always seem to get....'carrot' away."

Kim laughed, "Oooo...maybe we found someone who can 'beet' you at your own game, dear."

William looked at Kim with a mock scowl. "Now you're just trying to ap-'peas' your teacher."

Marcy started digging for her keys. "Actually, I had planned on taking us all to lunch afterward at this Mexican place in the Market that William keeps telling me about...but I'll take a raincheck on that salad for another day." She then snickered and said, "Now...not to 'corn' a phrase...but we should take this time to...get the heck out of Hodge."

They all erupted into laughter, and started into the hallway. Kim walked by her husband. "She soooo pun-ished you," she said with a nudge. As they passed the kitchen, Kim stopped to grab a box from the nook. "I have a surprise for you," she said to Marcy. "You have to close your eyes, and open your mouth."

"Another spray bottle?" Marcy said suspciously, glancing to William, who held up his hands and said, "Leave me out of this one." Marcy then smiled and complied. Kim reached into the box and set a praline between Marcy's lips. Her expression melted as she took in the buttery candy. "Kim," she cooed, "This...is just...decadent...what is it?"

"Pecan Praline," replied Kim. "My fave," she said, placing the box back on the counter and bringing one of the candies to her mouth.

"You have to tell me where you get--" Marcy stopped in mid-sentence, studying Kim's reaction to the chocolate-covered confection.

"Mmmmaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrkeeet..........."

"It's a candy store in the same market square as the Mexican restaurant," William said, smiling.

Marcy pointed to Kim. "Every single time?" she asked William quietly.

"Yeah," he replied. "But It's only this intense with candy. You have to understand...in the Celler environment, all food basically tastes like--"

"Tofuuu," Kim finished, recovering. "It's like I explained to William when I first got here...think about the most incredible meal you've ever had in your life...and multiply the experience by three. After eating food with no taste whatsoever day after day, Any taste that any food has is...like tasting for the first time. Even more than that, but that's the best way I can explain it."

"Anything you can't eat?"

"Any kind of artificial sweetener...chemical reaction," Kim said. "And alcohol. I can't even be around the stuff. Even to touch or smell it makes me ill."

"Kim..." started Marcy, "Please tell me if I'm being nosy or something...but if you wanted to, I would just love to sit down with you some night and hear all about...well...you know...everything."

"Just name the night," she said, smiling. "I'd like that."

Marcy turned to them both, clutching her keys. "Shall we?" The three of them went to the door, with William locking the deadbolt behind them.

He then turned around when Kim blurted out "Whoa! Marcy!" William looked to the street. A blood-red BMW 3-series sedan sat at the curb in front of their apartment. Kim turned to William, wincing slightly, with a furrowed brow.

"What's the matter?" Marcy asked, pushing a button on her key ring to unlock the doors. "We couldn't use the company car for this, so I brought my personal car."

Kim continued to wince. "I'd feel just a teen-sy bit less guilty if I scratched the company car. This looks way expensive."

"Kim...no worries," she replied. "First of all, we're going to a nice big empty parking lot. There won't be other cars anywhere near us. Second...if anything should happen - which it won't - I'm totally insured." She opened the front passenger door for Kim. "Third...this isn't the first time I've used this car for teaching someone how to drive. My 15-year old niece learned in this car."

Kim slowly approached the car as Marcy opened the rear door for William, and was instantly met by the rich aroma of freshly-cleaned leather from the deep graphite-colored interior. She lowered herself into the seat slowly, as if she might damage something if she sat down too hard. William took his seat behind her and pulled his door shut. Kim reached out and with two fingers, pulled her door to her. It closed with a muted but solid "chunk."

Kim immediately took in the cocoon-like quiet. "This is like a sound room," she said almost in a whisper. Marcy had made her way around the car and opened the driver's door, sliding in and closing it. "Buckle up, you two," she said, reaching over her shoulder for her belt. Kim and William did the same as Marcy turned the key. She pulled into traffic, the inside of the car remaining almost eerily silent, insulated from the outside world.

Marcy looked over at Kim as they slowed to stop at a light. "Kim...are you sure you're okay?"

"This is like riding in the limousine from our wedding," Kim said slowly, her hand caressing several of the surfaces of the interior. "It's so...quiet and removed. It's almost like I'm watching a movie instead of sitting in a car."

"Oh," replied Marcy, smiling and reaching down toward the stereo. "Want some noise?" She pushed a button as they pulled through the intersection, and the inside of the car was bathed in rich tones of music from the radio.

Kim seemed to ease a little. "This sounds as good as the stereo at home," she said over her shoulder to William, then turning to Marcy. "Who is this?"

Marcy listened for a second - then looked at William in the rear-view mirror. "Police?"

"Well, it's Sting anyway," William said. "Might be from his 'Nothing Like The Sun' album."

"William is totally my music source," beamed Kim.

Kim made a point of studying Marcy's movements as she continued through traffic on her way to where Kim would take her first driving lesson.

Eastgate Movie Complex - North Parking
11:57 AM.
Marcy pulled past the entrance to the theater and contiuned up the slight incline to the north end of the expansive parking lot. She turned the car around to face the theater and stopped. "Here we are," she said. "Three acres of nothing but yellow lines and asphalt."

"And a few light poles," Kim added nervously.

"C'mon, let's switch places," Marcy said, opening her door. "And William, slide over behind the driver's seat, so you don't obstruct Kim's vision." Kim followed with a tiny bit of reluctance, meeting her teacher at the front of the car.

Marcy placed a hand on Kim's shoulder. "You're still worried about damaging the car..."

Kim nodded slowly, looking at the brightwork of the grille. "It's just so perfect...not a mark on it."

Marcy held up her index finger - then turned and gave the front fascia a quick kick, scuffing the paint with her shoe. She then smiled at Kim. "There - now it's not perfect."

"Marcy, what are you doing!??" gasped Kim.

"Kim, I can take this to the shop and they can rub that out with a little compound, good as new," she said, giving Kim's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "I don't know how else to tell you that I'm not worried about you doing anything to the car. Now--" she gave Kim a few pats on her shoulder "--we're not here to fret over my car. We're here to teach you the fine art of operating a motor vehicle."

Kim could now see what propelled Marcy up the corporate ladder - the way she motivated people past their doubts and fears. It was like she refused to take "no" for an answer - as if she felt or knew whoever she was talking to didn't really mean "no." It was at this moment that Kim felt a new respect and even admiration for Marcy. She smiled and went to the driver's side of the car, getting in and sliding her hands onto the steering wheel.

Marcy followed, crouching beside her. "I want you to sit up straight with your back against the seat, and hold your arm straight out over the wheel." Kim did so, and felt the seatback incline near vertical, and then the entire seat slid forward slowly as Marcy pushed a few buttons on the side of the seat, near the floor. "Now rest your arm on the wheel," she said. Kim placed her arm against the rim of the wheel. "Perfect!" Marcy smiled. "When your arm rests on the wheel at your wrist, you're at the ideal distance from the wheel." She pushed a button on the door. "That will remember the seat's position for the next time." She then stood and went around to get in the passenger side.

"Okay," continued Marcy, "time for Lesson One. The first thing to remember...whenever you get behind the wheel of a car, the first thing you do is put your foot on the brake." Kim slowly applied her right foot to the brake pedal, pressing down slightly.

"I saw this movie once," William added. "One guy wanted to kill another guy...so he took out a taillight and put a wire in the socket, then replaced the bulb. Then he put the other end into the fuel filler. When the other guy got in and put his foot on the brake--" he threw up his hands "--boooom."

Kim's foot lifted quickly from the pedal, as if it had suddenly become hot, and she immediately reached over and behind her head, swatting at William. "Thank you...I wasn't nearly nervous enough before that little anecdote."

"Awww," said Marcy in a mock pout, "he was only joking, Kim. I'm sure he didn't mean any harm. Besides, I can reach him easier." She turned in the seat and smacked William across the knee, which brought a chuckle from the three of them. "Anyway...brake pedal," Marcy went on. Kim replaced her foot on the pedal. "Now...make sure you can see clearly behind you in each of the mirrors...and adjust the inside mirror so that you just see the bottom of the rear window in the edge of the mirror, and the right edge of the rear window in the right." Kim looked into each of the side mirrors, and made a small adjustment to the inside mirror, then replied, "Okay."

"Now when you're driving," continued Marcy, "your hands should be on the wheel at the same positions as the hour hand on a clock when it strikes 10 and 2 o'clock." She imitated the positions in front of her for Kim to follow. "When you turn, you don't turn with one hand, but you go hand-over-hand, like this--" She displayed the action, and Kim imitated the motion, sliding her hands along the steering wheel "--and you do the same thing when straightening out." Marcy then pointed out a lever on the left side of the steering column. "That's your turn signal indicator - always use it before you turn - down is left, up is right."

Marcy then clapped her hands together. "Kim? Turn the key." Kim slowly placed her thumb and finger against the ignition, and turned it through each stop until the engine jumped to life, causing her to release it quickly. "You'll get used to that," Marcy said.

Kim turned the steering wheel a bit in each direction, feeling its response and slight resistance to her inputs as Marcy continued. "You always have the brake on when shifting into or out of Park..and whenever changing gears, like from forward to reverse...and the car should be at a complete stop whenever you change gears. So now you have the basics...let's do this." She then pointed to the shifter on the center console. "Okay...keep your foot on the brake...and push the button on the shifter lever, while at the same time pulling it back until the lever is next to the 'D' on the indicator."

Kim slowly wrapped her hand around the shifter, pressing her thumb down on the button until it depressed and the shifter moved a bit. She then pulled the shifter toward her until it reached each stop - R...N...and finally D, which caused the car to tug against the brakes.

"The thing to remember about the gas and the brake," Marcy instructed, "is that they're used gradually. Easy on...easy off. The only time you might, err, 'stomp' on the gas or the brake is during an emergency maneuver. Right now, I don't even want you to touch the gas. With an automatic, just lifing off the brake will set the car to moving. Go ahead and lift your foot gradually, and you'll see. I want you to get used to feeling the car move under your control. You can use the brake anytime to stop the car."

Kim slowly began to raise her foot until she felt the car begin to move forward. Her hands tightened a bit from the sensation. The car rolled about 15 feet until Marcy said, "Okay, put the brake on to stop the car. Remember...gradual."

Kim pressed slightly on the pedal, and the car slowed, lurching as it stopped. She winced a little. "Sorry...bad, huh."

"It comes to you as you get a feel for it," said Marcy. "With some things, experience is the best teacher. Just feel what the car is doing, through your foot. One thing you can try is, just before the car stops, lift your foot pressure ever so slightly...that will help keep the car from jerking when it stops. Want to try it again?" Kim nodded and lifted her foot from the brake, again allowing the car to roll forward. This time when she applied the brake, she concentrated on the interaction between her foot and the rate of slowing. This time the car barely jerked when it halted. "Just like that," beamed Marcy. "Somehow I knew it wouldn't take you long to catch on." She then motioned forward. "Again, please."

They repeated the routine about ten times until the car neared the bottom of the lot. "We're almost out of parking lot," Kim remarked as she pointed to the curb of the sidewalk, less than 50 feet in front of them.

"Time for Lesson Two," Marcy said. "Ease off the brake again...and stop when you get to the end of the parking row." Kim did as she was told, bringing the car to a halt just before the thru lane in front of them. "Now...you're going to come off the brake, just like you've been doing...but this time--" she pointed to Kim's left "--you're going to turn the wheel to get the car into that next row. Just feel how much the car is turning with how much you turn the wheel. You can go as slow as you want, and remember you can stop the car anytime you want. Once the car is in the next row, between the lines, I want you to stop there."

Kim eased her foot from the brake until the car began to roll. Once it had passed the last yellow line, she began the hand-over-hand motion that Marcy had shown her, rowing the wheel to the left. The car cut sharply in that direction and Kim immediately brought the wheel back to the right to correct, over-compensating until the sedan was again rolling nearly straight, which caused her to quickly hit the brake. The car's nose dove as they lurched to a stop. Kim curled her fingers around the wheel, gripping a bit tighter as she let out an exasperated sigh.

Marcy moved her hand over Kim's to get her to loosen her grip. "Remember...the brake isn't an on-off thing," she said in a soothing voice. "The transmission moves the car forward, but you can control the rate with the brake. You can try it now...just lift with the ball of your foot until the car juuuuust starts to creep. You'll see that you control the car, not vice-versa." Kim concentrated for a second, and Marcy felt the car begin a slow crawl. "There you go...that's got it. Okay," she said, pointing to the next row over, "Try again, and remember - you are in control, not the car."

Kim lifted her foot again, feeling the car start to creep forward. She let it roll past the row she was originally aiming for, and she slowed before reaching the next, now turning the wheel more slowly, concentrating on how the vehicle was arcing from her input. As the car entered the row, she slowed several times nearly to a stop, checking on either side to see she was between the lines, until the car pointed up the row toward the top of the lot. She pressed the brake to stop the car and held it there while she shook out her hands, letting out her breath in a long "hoooooooo."

Marcy patted Kim on the shoulder. "See? The car only really does what you tell it to do. You are in control." Kim looked over at Marcy with a slight worried expression. "What?" Marcy responded. "Surely you didn't think this would just be a five-minute thing, did you? Don't tell me you feel defeated already." She placed her arm around Kim. "Nobody learns how to drive right away. Nobody. But I'll tell you this - you're already doing better than my niece did. It was almost an hour before she got the car as straight in the row as you did in just two tries." Kim was convinced that one of her future projects would be to try to gain the confidence-building skills that Marcy had.

"Okay Kim," Marcy instructed, "now we need to go back up the hill. Remember that, just like the brake, the gas is applied gradually. I want you to take a look at the speedometer - keep the speed to no more than 20 miles per hour. When you get to the end of this row I want you to stop there, just as if it were an intersection."

Kim focused her gaze on the row ahead - and lifted her foot from the brake to the accelerator. The car lurched forward at first - then Kim turned her concentration again to the car's reaction to her movements. Now the car moved ahead smoothly as she feathered her pressure on the pedal. She glanced down as the speedometer inched upward...10...15...20. Kim found that most of her fine adjustments on the pedals were more of a mental input than a physical movement, allowing her to percieve rather than feel movements of her feet. It was almost as if she was tying the balance centers in her brain with changes in inertia and direction of the car, and compensating with tiny adjustments of her feet and hands.

1:12 PM.
"Okay...down, and two rows to the left."

It had graduated to a system of Marcy giving directions, and Kim executing them in a routine, stopping at the end of each row, looking both ways as if traffic might be approaching, then putting on the appropriate turn signal before advancing in that direction, and again before entering the row that Marcy had indicated. Kim had developed a real feel for controlling the vehicle, and it responded smoothly to her every input.

"Kim," said Marcy in a rather commanding tone, "I want you to stop the car and turn it off." Kim brought the vehicle to another smooth stop, moved the shifter to the Park position, and turned the key back to kill the engine. Marcy immediately slipped off her seat belt and got out of the car. "William, can I see you a moment?" William exited on the driver's side and met Marcy at the front of the car - then they both turned their backs. Kim looked on with a bit of worry.

"It doesn't surprise me much," Marcy said to William, "what with Kim being, well...Kim...but it is a bit amazing how quickly she caught on."

"Marcy," William replied, "It's been like this ever since she first entered my life...just one surprise right after the other."

Kim sat in the car watching the two, wondering how her teacher might rate her first time at the wheel of a car...and how much criticism might be coming her way. As Marcy got a pen and a small piece of paper from her pocket and wrote on it, Kim went over the last hour in her mind, making slight motions on the steering wheel, trying to memorize the way the car responded to her actions.

Her thoughts were interrupted when they turned around and walked toward the car, applauding. Marcy walked to the driver's door and opened it. Kim looked up with a somewhat apprehensive smile. "Does that mean I did okay?"

"You were out-standing," replied Marcy. "In fact, I need to get you out of my seat before you steal my car or something."

Kim smiled wide, getting out of the car and throwing her arms around Marcy. "I've got such a good teacher...so understanding and patient...and a good motivator." She went around to the passenger side and got in.

William smoothed his hand over Kim's shoulder as she reached for her belt. "Are you sure you've never done this before?" he joked.

"Not unless you count the bumper cars in 'All The News'," she said over her shoulder to her husband.

"I nearly took a nap at one point, it was so smooth," he said.

"Very smooth," agreed Marcy as she closed her door. "After you got over your initial trepidation and got used to it...but like I told William, I'm not that surprised."

"I think it had something to do with what you said earlier," said Kim. "That the car only does what you tell it to do. I had heard that before, only about comptuers. I kind of applied the same feelings I have about computers to the car...and suddenly it came to me a lot easier."

William leaned forward. "Your driving is almost as smooth as your--"

"William!" Kim interrupted, beginning to blush.

William sat back with a mock pout. "I was going to say cooking..." Marcy couldn't help but giggle at this, and soon had the other two joining in.

Marcy reached into her shirt pocket. "I have a little something for you." She handed Kim a business card. Kim looked at it quizzically, then turned it over. "A website?"

"It's the site for the State Motor Vehicle Division," said Marcy. "They have a copy of the official driver's manual you can download and print out. You can also apply for your learner's permit there. Just judging from this first session, I'm going to predict that you'll be ready to take the test for your license no later than the end of summer."

"Really??" Kim exclaimed, leaning over and hugging Marcy tightly.

"Yep," replied Marcy. "Just study the manual thoroughly. Between that and a few more sessions out here, you should just walk in and ace it."

"Hear that, William?" Kim said, sliding from Marcy's embrace. "I'm going to be driving soon!"

William caressed Kim's cheek. "Well, as far as I'm concerned, you were driving just now. It was really excellent. But, I know what you mean - driving with all the legal mumbo-jumbo in your pocket."

Kim then turned to her teacher. "Marcy?" she smiled. "You've been giving orders all afternoon. Now I'd like to give one - let's go eat!"

"Agreed," Marcy replied, turning the key. "I'm ready for some of the food that William has been playing up for the past week or so." She made her way out of the lot and onto the street, heading for the Mexican restaurant in the market square.

As Marcy made her way through the moderate mid-afternoon traffic, Kim reached back to take William's hand into hers. "I just can't think of anything that could happen this afternoon to make me any happier than I am right now."

"I'll take that bet," Marcy said with a rather sly grin. She reached for the sun visor over her head and pulled out a cassette, slipping it into the tape deck.

Kim and William hesitated for a moment, listening. The silence was pierced with the all-too-familiar "peep-peep-be-deep" notes of the Kimmunicator, with a bass line in the background. Kim's eyes instantly perked as wide as saucers, her mouth open wide. "EeeeeeEEEEEE!!! No-WAY!" she gleefully squealed. "I haven't heard this in forever!" She pointed toward the deck. "Turnitupturnitupturnitup!" Marcy twisted the volume knob, and the interior filled with the booming bass line from the show. The women burst into song, dancing in their seats as the first verse started -

-I'm your basic average girl-
-And I'm here to save the world-
-You can't stop me 'cause I'm Kim Pos-si-ble-
-There is nothin' I can't do-
-And when danger calls, just know that I am on my way-

After the first chorus, where Kim's voice appears in the song, Kim and Marcy both sounded out "So WHAT'S - THE - SIIIIIIITCH!!!" - then burst into a fit of laughter.

Tan Taco
1:52 PM.
The three entered the restaurant and sat at a table near a large window with William facing the street, and Kim to his left, Marcy to the right. "This is nice, William," Marcy remarked as she looked at the decorations adorning the walls. "Very authentic."

"Yeah," replied William. "The guy that runs the place, Lupe...he immigrated here about three years ago. He lived with some relatives here until he got enough money together to start this place." He pointed to a young boy who was cleaning a table. "That's one of his sons. It's a real family thing."

Kim was still riding the wave of the experience of her first driving lesson as she opened a menu, uttering a barely-perceptible moan as she read through the selections. Marcy placed her finger on the top of the menu, edging it down to the table. "Guys," she started, "Let me order for you. William, I have a good idea of what you like...and Kim, I want to surprise you with something good. Please - this is my element." William and Kim looked at each other for a few seconds - and a smile began to cross both their faces. "Sounds good," Kim said.

William pointed out a man walking toward the table. "This is Lupe himself."

"William, Buenos Dias," Lupe said cheerfully. "It is always nice to see you again, you do not come here enough--" he gave a slow glance to Marcy and Kim "--only this time you bring the lovely señoritas." They smiled in response.

"Well...I've been a little busy lately," replied William. "I got married a few weeks ago." He motioned toward the women. "Lupe, this is my wife, Kim...and a member of the Board where I work, Marcy Alvarez."

"Married? Congratulations, Señor William," Lupe smiled, shaking William's hand. He then extended his hand to Kim and Marcy. "Buenos Dias, Señora, Señorita." Lupe then studied Kim for a moment - then called to the young boy who was cleaning another table. "Trujillo - venga aquí por un momento." The boy walked over, wiping his hands on a dishtowel. His eyes got wider as he caught sight of Kim. "You'll excuse my son, Trujillo...he does not know the English that well yet, but he is learning." He then spoke to his son while motioning in Kim's direction. "Ella mira mucho que aprecia esa tira humorística que usted mira el sábado mañanas... el Kim Posible."

"Is it okay if I translate for them?" Marcy asked. Lupe nodded with a wide smile and a "Si." Marcy nodded to Kim. "He said you look like that cartoon Trujillo watches on Saturday mornings...the Kim Possible." Kim giggled lightly and nodded at the young boy. "Si," she said.

Trujillo tugged on his father's apron until he bent down to him and he whispered something in Lupe's ear. Lupe gave a bit of a chuckle, then turned to Kim, while the boy looked on with some apprehension. "He would like to know if he could hug you, Señora Kim."

Kim's face brightened with a wide smile. "Sure!" she said, spreading her arms. Trujillo untied his apron, handing it to Lupe, and nearly raced around the table to wrap his arms around Kim in a tight hug. He then pulled away, smiling. "I-love the es-show," he said in somewhat broken English. "Usted mece, Kim." Trujillo then returned to his father, putting his apron back on, and waving before going back to cleaning the table.

Kim looked at Marcy. "What was that last part?"

Marcy smiled wide. "He said 'You rock' in Spanish."

"Awww," Kim replied. "You have a darling son, Lupe....and the food here is fantastic. William has brought home tacos from here before."

"I was commenting on the authentic setting as we came in," added Marcy, who then motioned to Kim and William. "This place comes highly recommended."

"Gracias, ladies," Lupe said with a warm smile. "Everyone likes Lupe's food. And I wanted Trujillo to see you. He helped me name the restaurante. He told me he got the idea from your es-show, Kim." Kim's eyebrows raised. "You see," continued Lupe, "The English word for 'Tan' is 'es-so'."

Kim immediately laughed, clapping. "So Taco. I love it!" Marcy and William joined in, chuckling.

"Speaking of Lupe's food," Lupe said, bringing a pad and pen from the pocket of his apron, "I bet you three are muy hungry. Would you like to order now?"

"Mmmm, foooood," Kim said, motioning toward Marcy. "She wants to order for us."

Lupe turned toward Marcy, readying his pen. Marcy suddenly launched into Spanish. Lupe smiled at first, welcoming his native tongue, then casually wrote on the pad, following her list. Kim and William sat dumbfounded as Marcy spoke. "Sí, la dama tendrá un tamale con la salsa de queso y un taco duro de esqueleto... el hombre tendrá un burrito con cebollas y un tazón de frijoles de refried... y tendré una enchilada del carne de vaca y un taco suave del esqueleto." She then turned to them. "What would you like to drink?"

"Coke is fine," said William.

"Iced tea here," Kim nodded.

Marcy turned back to Lupe. "Dos Colas de la Coca y un té helado. Gracias."

Lupe read over the pad for a moment, then turned to leave. Marcy caught his arm and asked, "¿Tiene usted algún flan?" then glancing at Kim. Lupe replied with a wide grin and a nod. Marcy then said, "Apreciaría algún flan de caramelo de pinapple, por favor. Gracias tanto." Lupe smiled, underlining the order, then went behind the counter and through a pair of swinging half-doors into the kitchen.

Kim continued to give Marcy a puzzled look. "What...did...you order for us?" she asked slowly.

"All good stuff, I promise," said Marcy.

William sat back, crossing his arms. "I've known you for two years...and I didn't know you could speak Spanish that well."

Marcy smirked back to William. "You've known me for two years...did you think 'Alvarez' was a German name or something?" Kim placed her hand over her mouth to hide a sudden giggle.

"I just...never heard you speak it like that, I guess."

"No, there's no opportunity to speak it at work...but I have relatives here who still speak better Spanish than English...it comes in handy."

Kim leaned toward William with a devilish grin on her face. "Griiinnngoooo," she said slowly through a giggle. Marcy's jaw dropped as she looked at Kim, then snickered. Kim then flinched, still smiling with a "nonononono" and putting up her hands to block as William reached into the bowl at the middle of the table for a packet of "Don't Go There" sauce.

Marcy fished through the bowl, placing one of each level of sauce in front of her on the table. "I'd put that last one back if I were you," William warned, pointing at the "Don't Go There" packet. "I've heard that stuff can cripple people."

Marcy shot another look at William. "You're kidding...right? Have you forgotten whom you're talking to?" she said, tearing a corner off the packet of hot sauce. She let a drop dribble onto the tip of her finger.

Kim recoiled a little. "I can smell the heat coming off that stuff from here." She continued to watch with William in amazement as Marcy brought her finger to her mouth and smacked her lips a few times. "It's...a bit warm, yes," she commented. "Kind of hot, you could say." William reached over and lifted Kim's jaw with his fingers, closing her mouth. Marcy licked her lips, then perked toward the kitchen as Lupe entered with three large platters. "Our food is here," she smiled.

Lupe went around the table, first setting a platter in front of Kim-- "Tamale con la salsa de queso y un taco duro de esqueleto..." --then Marcy-- "Una enchilada del carne de vaca y un taco suave del esqueleto..." --and finally William-- "un burrito con cebollas y un tazón de frijoles de refried." He smiled. "Goce su comida. Enjoy your meal," then returned to the kitchen.

"Good call," William said, digging his fork into his meal. "You remembered my love of burritos."

Kim looked at her platter. "I recognize the taco," she said, then pointed to the large item next to it, which was nearly as long as the platter itself, "But what is this? It looks delicious."

"That, my dear driving student," replied Marcy, "Is a tamale, covered in a rich cheese sauce...salsa de queso."

"Umm...do I put sauce on it?"

"You can if you want. It's good either way."

With this, Kim retrieved a packet of "Medium" sauce from the bowl and trickled a thin trail along the length of the tamale. Marcy dribbled the rest of her super-hot sauce packet over her food. "What did you get?" Kim asked, pointing at Marcy's platter.

"This is an enchilada," Marcy said. "Think of it as kind of an open taco."

Kim picked up a fork, cutting into one end of her tamale, dipping it in some cheese sauce that had run over the side onto the platter, and brought it to her mouth. Her expression immediately changed to that dreamy smile, her eyes closing. "Mmmmmm-mm-mm-Marcy...this is out of this world."

"Told you," Marcy smiled, cutting into her own food.

Kim turned to William as Marcy chewed another bite. "I'm waiting for her to spontaneously combust."

Marcy swallowed and giggled. "Sorry, Kim...I'm not going boom. I'm used to stuff this hot. It's an acquired taste," she said, bringing up another bite.

Lupe returned with three glasses. "Two Coca-Colas and one iced tea," he said, setting them on the table. "Lupe's food is muy bueno, si?"

"I hope he said 'fantastic'," said Kim, "It really is very good."

"Actually, Señora Kim," Lupe returned with a wide smile, "I did ask if it was 'very good'. But 'fantastico' says it better than I did." Kim nodded her agreement and approval, as Marcy and William did the same.

"Si, Lupe," added Marcy. "Es muy delicioso. Especialmente la salsa caliente."

"It's...delicious," Kim said, trying to decipher, "and...something about sauce?"

"Yes!" Marcy grinned. "It's very delicious." She brought another bite, with a coating of "Don't Go There" to her mouth. "Especially the hot sauce," raising her eyebrows to punctuate. She finished by placing the food in her mouth, slowly withdrawing the fork between her lips, which caused Kim to shudder slightly. "Better you than me," she winced.

2:34 PM.
Kim took a long drink of her iced tea. "Marcy, this was a super lunch. Thank you so much. I'll have to cook up a really great dinner when you come over. We have to put a date together."

William nodded in agreement. "I think you have an open invitation to drop over anytime."

"Thanks, you two," Marcy smiled. "And thanks for bringing me here. I can tell you I'll be returning here soon. I'll be looking forward to the dinner date...maybe next weekend, after your next driving lesson." Kim beamed and nodded excitedly at this. Marcy then took a sip of her Coke. "So, are you looking forward to Monday?"

"I can't wait," Kim replied. "I think it'll be just great."

"Judging by your skills test results, and by how well you get along with people, I think you'll love it at Meridian," said Marcy. "And I think you'll be a real asset to the company, once you're up to speed on the internal routines and stuff."

"I watched William the first time he did the reports at home. I started messing around with the spreadsheet program after that...it all came so easily to me...it just seemed so...logical...so natural."

Marcy looked at William. "With an attitude like that, you and I might have to fear for our jobs."

Kim giggled, making a pshawing with her hand. "You guys...I just want to do a good job there."

Marcy looked over at William again. "How's your injury coming along? I meant to ask you yesterday in your office."

"It actually looks a lot worse than it is," William said. "It was only painful for the first hour or so." Kim looked at something on her plate with a rather evasive look on her face.

"It's a wonder your glasses didn't break, unless you weren't wearing them at the time."

William noted Kim's expression, and reached for her hand. "Yes...it was a strange accident, to say the least."

Marcy then noticed Kim's expression as well. "Kim?" she said, patting her other hand. "You okay, hon? You look worried about something..."

Kim suddenly burst out, her eyes wide and her brow furrowing as she spoke to Marcy at a frenzied pace. "Marcy it was a--total--accident...I was in the middle of a no-contact routine because I hadn't worked out in like forever and I had the stereo way loud to motivate me and I was so into it I didn't hear William come in and he yelled my name and I just reacted on instinct I totally didn't mean to hit--" She stopped and lowered her head until it thudded onto her arms against the table.

Marcy had been listening to Kim, all the while her jaw slowly dropping further. When Kim stopped, she placed her arm around her, rubbing her back softly. She turned to William. "-Kim- did that??"

"It's as she said," replied William. "She couldn't have heard me come in the door...and she was so wound up from working out...I'm just glad I partially blocked it or I might still be out."

"You blocked it? And she still hit you that hard??"

"She had her back to me when I shouted. She wound up from like, Missouri."

"Her foot?"

"No...a left hook. She had her gloves on...that's what caused the scratches." William then turned his attention to Kim, placing an arm around her. "Kim...you can't beat yourself up anymore over something you didn't do on purpose." Kim slowly raised her head to William as he slapped his cheek lightly. "See..? It's all gone but the discoloration. It doesn't hurt anymore."

Kim leaned to her husband and kissed him on that cheek. "Well," she sighed, "If someone had to find out the truth, I'm glad it was Marcy." She turned to Marcy with a rather apologetic expression.

Marcy smiled back at Kim. "I just couldn't imagine you doing something like that on purpose," she said. "It never even crossed my mind, once I found out. But it's all done and over now, right?" Kim nodded, giving her an appreciative smile. Marcy perked as Lupe was walking past the table. "All over but the dessert, that is." She tapped Lupe's arm as he passed. "Pienso que estamos listos para nuestro flan ahora, Señor Lupe."

Lupe nodded with a "Si, señorita," and headed for the kitchen.

Kim eyed Marcy with a sly grin. "Dessert?"

Lupe returned with three small plates, setting one in front of each. On the plates was something that resembled a small pot pie, turned upside down. Lupe smiled at Marcy. "Not enough people order the flan, Señorita. They will like, si?"

"I'm sure of it," Marcy said. "Dig in, you two."

Kim took up her spoon and cut down the side of the dish. The rich aroma of caramel immediately flirted her nose. "Mmmm...I think I like it already."

"It's a form of custard," Marcy smiled. "You can use a lot of different fillings, but this has pineapple in it." Kim brought a heaping spoon to her mouth. She instantly melted as the taste caressed her tongue, looking slightly upward, purring as she let the custard set in her mouth for a moment. Marcy smiled at William. "I think her mouth is saying 'Booyah'."

"That makes two of us," William said, taking another bite of the chilled dessert. "I think we'll either be looking for a recipe we can make at home, or coming here more often."

2:51 PM.
The three walked out of the restaurant and out into the summer sun, heading for the car. Kim stopped Marcy after a few steps and turned her face to face, placing hands on her shoulders. "Marcy..." Kim then brought her close for a warm hug. "I can't thank you enough for today...the whole day. From the moment you came to the door this morning you've made me smile all day."

"Awww, Kim," Marcy said, returning the embrace. "I've had a great time myself. I always have fun when you two are together."

"We're free for adoption," William quipped. The women giggled at this. "Besides, your fun isn't quite over yet, Kim," he added.

Kim looked at William quizzically, "Oh?" then gave just the hint of a sly grin, wondering what her husband might be planning.

"Yep," he said. "It rained all day yesterday, and we had quite a storm in the evening. My car is really in need of a bath."

Kim responded to this with a shiver, her eyes slowly closing and her mouth spreading into a wide grin. Marcy then gave her own look of puzzlement to William.

"I think I'll wait until the dinner date to explain," he smirked. "It's a Celler thing."

to be continued...