Dear Mommy and Daddy

Dear Mommy and Daddy,

I'm sorry that I got in the car with someone who was under the influence and that I ran over the neighbor's cat. I know it was bad, but I can defend myself! So I know teens aren't supposed to drink, but its part of high school. I personally was not drinking, but we had to leave the house really fast because the cops were coming and I didn't want to be arrested and brought home by the cops because the last time that happened you guys got REALLY mad. The only driver that could take me was drunk but he was really just tipsy, I wouldn't say drunk!

I didn't want to be lame and be the only one not going with him because then everyone would say I was just scared and a goody too shoes. I read that teens view rewards differently then adults and maybe, to you, my decision sounds stupid, but to me, all I wanted was to be accepted by my friends. I also didn't get a lot of sleep for the past week so because of that my decisions weren't the smartest. Us teens need a lot of REM sleep to function properly and to our greatest ability. At first, I didn't think that you were that mad because you just looked scared, so I tried to reassure you, but apparently that expression was anger... Teenagers sometimes read adult expressions differently so I'm sorry for that too.

I know what I did seems stupid, but I was making sure the driver wasn't speeding too much and I know that I can handle more than you think I can. I know everyone thinks that teenagers do stupid things, but it is just because we want to have fun, have lots of friends and we know that we will probably survive. If a cat gets killed in the process, it was the one not being careful, not me. I won't get in the car with a drunk driver again because I know it upsets you, but I'm alive and ok and responsible so you should really give me more freedom. You think I'm doing this as an act of rebellion and so that I can "pull away from you more", but it's really because I connect more with peers my own age and strive for my own independence. It's not really MY fault; it's just the way the teen brain works. So sorry...I guess.

~Love, your flesh and blood.