Karr was seething. He had taken an extremely strong dislike to the young man in the passenger seat. Based on his sensors, Melissa had a similar feeling. However, there really had not been any good choices, under the circumstances.
Earlier that evening, Melissa had gone to a party held by a friend. After the last party she had attended – and Melissa's transgression there – the adults in her life had taken steps to prevent future underaged drinking. Devon had lectured Melissa on the importance of being responsible. Michael had related stories about drunk driving accidents he had dealt with while a police officer.
As a result, when Melissa received the invitation to this party, she agreed not to drink. However, in exchange, she asked if she could drive some other people to the party. In effect, serving as the designated driver. Both men agreed.
Karr had noticed that Melissa often moved into negotiation mode, especially when she had already agreed to something that the other person valued. She was never bossy, argumentative, or pushy. She just laid out her position in a reasonable tone and with persuasive evidence. Though not necessarily all the evidence. Or even her full position.
In this instance, Karr noted she hadn't mentioned Bonnie's response. Being of a more practical mind than the two men, she had skipped the lecture and instead bought some cheap beer. Melissa took one sip and declared it revolting. Bonnie still made her drink the entire can. And helped hold her when she threw it all up again. Karr knew Melissa would never drink cheap beer – the only type likely available at any party she attended with her friends – ever again. Which made today's negotiation amusing to him: Melissa gave up something she didn't want (drinking cheap beer) in exchange for something she did (being allowed to drive her friends around).
On the way to the party, they stopped first to pick up a couple that Melissa had gone to school with. She had picked them both up at the boy's house. And he had been demanding and rude all evening long.
First, he had insisted that he – as the only male in the group – be the driver. Melissa had, naturally, refused. She gave him two options: be a passenger or not be in the car at all. He got in, sulking. And then spent the next couple of miles making derogatory comments about the vehicle he was in. While Karr privately agreed that a Chevy Citation was not the most exciting of cars, he did not like the insults. Melissa again shut down the boy – and he was certainly acting like a child. This time, she asked what car he drove, forcing him to acknowledge that he didn't have one because his parents refused to give him one.
Karr was beginning to wonder what the young lady saw in the boy. He had seen how Devon and Michael behaved, and it was nothing like this. He had also seen how Melissa's boyfriend, Greg, behaved. Again, it was nothing like this. So clearly this was not typical behavior, even for teenagers.
And then they arrived at the party.
Greg was there, along with one of his sisters. Melissa went over to him with a smile. They hung out together for the rest of the evening. Based on Karr's sensors, Melissa was even more relaxed when she was with Greg than she was with either Devon or Michael. The young lady who had come with them, on the other hand, was stressed when she was with her boyfriend and less so when they were apart.
The boyfriend, for his part, spent time with every female at the party except his date. Most wanted nothing to do with him. A couple, though, returned his attention. Eventually, he wandered off with one girl. The rest of the group was in the backyard, so they came around to the other side of the house. Right where Karr was parked, as a matter of fact. Which gave him a front row seat to their make out session, as he had been told such things were called. And to the screaming match when the girlfriend came looking for her boyfriend.
After some discussion, it was agreed that Greg and his sister would drive the young lady home while Melissa drove the boy home. It would definitely have been too awkward for them both to ride home in the same car. And it was more or less on the way for Greg to take the young lady and Melissa to take the boy.
Greg did protest: he didn't like the idea of that boy riding with Melissa any more than Karr did. In Greg's case, it was because he didn't want Melissa to be in close quarters with the boy. In Karr's case, it was because he didn't want to be in close quarters with the boy. But Melissa pointed out the entire episode had been upsetting for the young lady, and having Greg's sister for the ride home would be reassuring. Besides, Melissa would have Karr. Reluctantly, Karr and Greg both agreed to the plan as the best option available.
And so Karr found himself with a rude and overbearing passenger that he would have happily left at the side of the road. He also secretly felt Melissa was being too accommodating. The boy should suffer the repercussions of his behavior, such as having to walk home. He planned to have a lengthy discussion with Melissa about the proper amount of backbone to display. Once they were home, of course.
The ride was tense and silent. After a few minutes, though, the boy started asking about the unusual dashboard. Melissa provided a brief explanation about the computer who could provide information on demand and even drive the car. She didn't introduce the boy to Karr. A decision Karr was wholly on board with. He saw no reason to have a conversation with such a ill-behaved boy.
Then, shortly after the explanation, the boy got a thoughtful expression, one that Karr did not like one bit. He then reached over and pressed the Auto Drive button. Karr gladly took over, immediately plotting the shortest course to get the boy home.
The boy next leaned over and kissed Melissa.
Melissa and Karr both reacted. Melissa slapped the boy and began yelling at him. Karr sped up. Significantly. The boy was more bothered by the speed than the slap. He leaned back in his seat, eyes closed in fear.
Since his eyes were closed, he didn't see as they pulled up to his house. He did feel the car stop. But before he could open his eyes, he heard Karr undo his seatbelt and open the door. As he opened his eyes, Karr ejected him from the Citation.
"And you are not welcome back in this vehicle," said Karr, speaking for the first time that evening. "Ever."
Shutting the door, he pulled away. Melissa was shaking. Karr was concerned. And then she lifted her face. He saw the glee in her eyes and the smile on her face. But it was the peals of laughter as they drove away that he enjoyed the most.