I Made the Choice
He offered me a ride
His smile was inviting, but I told him no
Even though I truly wanted to go
He begged, He pleaded
He told me it would be all right
And I shivered as I thought -It would be cold to walk home tonight
I knew he had been drinking
I could smell it on his breath
I knew it was a bad idea- drinking and driving led to death
I had heard all the stories
I had seen often the pressure of our peers
But still, I thought, he only had just a few beers
Come ON Clarissa! He said
Just get in the Car!
You are making a big deal, and it’s really not that far
You know I can control my alcohol
I’ve done it before
You know I’ve driven home even when I’ve drink’n more!
I looked at his face, and he looked back at me
I knew he was frustrated and it was my fault
But something in the back of my mind warned me by default
I knew it was the stories
The education I had received
Never drink and drive- they made me believe
Reckless driving is dangerous
And I decided right there in my mind
There was no way I was getting in that car even if he became unkind
I told him no- that’s my final answer
Now don’t try to argue to my face
You need to get out of the car too, let us just park it at this place
His look was incredulous
But my decision remained strong
I opened his car door and pulled on his arm
Lets just walk there- I said
We’ll make it there fast I am sure
I really don’t want you to drink and drive- there is only so much you can endure
He wasn’t happy about me pulling him from he car
But he followed me nonetheless
And in that moment- I knew I had not broken my own promise