Every morning Mary's dad drove to work in his red car. He'd stop before backing out of the driveway and wave at Mary before heading to town. Mary would wave back. "How come you and Dad get to drive and I don't?" Mary turned and walked into the kitchen.

Her mom was busy at the sink washing a plate. "Mary, your dad and I are grown ups. You're not old enough to drive a car yet."

"I want to drive Dad's car. I like the red color." Mary sighed and sat at the kitchen table.

"When you grow up,  you can buy yourself any color of car you want." Her mom wiped her hands on a dish towel.

Mary and her mom went shopping and then when they came home, Mary played in her room. That night after her dad got home from work, he played games with her and then read her a story.

That night Mary had a dream. She dreamed that she went into the garage and got into the red car and went for a drive, all by herself. She backed out of the driveway and waved at her dad and mom and then drove down the street. "Look at me! I'm driving and I'm only five years old." She smiled and turned down the street that led to the grocery store.

Just then a big truck pulled in front of her and slammed on its breaks. Mary crashed into the back of it and the red car crumpled into a ball of metal. Mary woke up screaming and crying.

Her mom came running into the room. "What's wrong, Mary?"

"I had a bad dream. I dreamed I crashed in Daddy's car." Mary sobbed as her mother held her. "You were right, Mom. I am too young to drive. I don't want to drive Daddy's car until I am grown up."