It's Confession Time

I have a confession.



It’s ridiculous, really.



Most people will be like, “Uh, really?”



But.......











I don’t like driving on Interstates. Or highways. All the vehicles freak me out. Like REALLY freak me out.



In Wyoming, I didn’t have to worry about them much.



In Oklahoma…



…that’s a different story.



Lucky for me, I managed to find ways to get to places without going on the Interstate. And most of the areas I frequent don’t even require getting on one.



But on Friday, my luck ran out.



See, my best friend Jennifer is in Oklahoma visiting her family. She called and asked if I wanted to meet her downtown.



Lucky for me, I knew how to get downtown without getting on the Interstate so I agreed.



Tom was taking Tommy out to the new Transformers movie (it was showing in the base theater—it’s cheaper there but the seating usually sucks and the floor is always sticky—still, for 3 bucks a ticket, beggars can’t be choosers…)



This meant I had to take Natalie with me.



I was nervous because I had only been to the area once and it was when my Mom was doing the driving. I knew it was a straight shot down a street so I did that—and then I saw the signs for road closed again.



I kept driving.



Lalala, surely the signs don’t apply to me.



The signs DID apply to me.



There were barriers all over up ahead. For a brief second I thought about driving through them and pretend I was in an action movie. But then I saw Natalie in the backseat and knew I couldn’t risk hurting her.



I knew I had to go on the Interstate.



“It’s fine,” I breathed, pulling out my GPS. “It’s just the Interstate. Charlie Sheen probably drives on the Interstate. If he can do it, so can I.”



My GPS cheerfully told me to get on I-40 like it was no big deal.



I was gripping the wheel so hard my knuckles were white.



Sweat was beginning to form on my brow.



“What are you doing?” Natalie demanded. She knows I don’t like the Interstate. Her eyes went wide when she saw me driving towards the entry.



“Mommy has to go here,” I said. “Mommy hopes we don’t die.”



You know I like a person if I go on the Interstate for them.



I really like Jennifer so Interstate it was. Plus, I hadn’t had any girl time since I last saw her in New York City in May. I haven’t really met anyone here.



I was so nervous being on the Interstate that I got off on the wrong exit.



Still, the GPS helped me find my way even though I made the snotty lady on the GPS go, “Recalculating,” in this rude voice. It’s like, you know what GPS? Recalculate this (and then my middle finger goes up.) (Only I didn’t do this because Natalie was in the back.)



I made it downtown in one piece. I was a little shaky, but I was glad I survived.



I ended up having a good time and Natalie really liked playing with Jennifer’s daughter.



Driving on the Interstate at night was a tad scary, but I figured it out.



Would I say my phobia of the Interstate has been cured?



Not really.



You’ll still see me trying to find back roads to avoid the Internet.



But at least I know I can do it.



If I absolutely cannot avoid them.