Personal Narrative: Loss Of Control

Loss of Control
Raindrops splash against the windshield. The splatters create a series of watery Jackson Pollock paintings. Windshield wipers sweep away the drops with each swish of the metal paint brushes.
“Alyssa, you are driving very well for your first time behind the wheel,” says my driving instructor Ambika Sanjaya.
“Thank you,” I comment back to her.
“You can loosen your grip on the steering wheel. Relax, we are almost to your house.”
Unclenching my sweaty hands from the wheel, a salty aroma of my perspiration wafts in the air. Gaining confidence, I arch my back against the firm seat. I feel a resemblance to the Queen of England sipping from a cup of tea as she sits perfectly straight and looking quite regal. Getting bolder, I accelerate the car.

I hear the tires screech louder than my little cousin’s shriek when she’s throwing a tantrum. Out of control, the car slides across a patch of ice on the road. My mother’s car veers into the oncoming lane. Feeling completely helpless, I freeze with fear. I swear I hear the rapid beating of my heart pounding against my chest. Coming out of my frozen state, I grasp the steering wheel tightly. My knuckles turn ghostly white like the ice on the side of the road. I frantically turn the wheel, hoping to get back some control of the car. Knowing that I have turned too sharp and braked too hard, I can do nothing about the sickly, Charlie Brown looking tree that looms ahead. “Smack!”
My body jolts back and forth in between the cold leather seat and the loosened seat belt strapped across my chest. The armrest digs into my shoulder blade like a knife being jabbed into my body. My teeth clench down fast and hard, puncturing my tongue. A bitter taste flows directly into my mouth. With each strong beat of my heart, blood creeps into the back of my throat. I can’t seem to