Jenny was so happy about the house they had found. For once in her life 'twas on the right side of town. She unpacked her things with such great ease. As she watched her new curtains blow in the breeze. How wonderful it was to have her own room. School would be starting; she'd have friends over soon. There'd be sleep-overs, and parties; she was so happy. It's just the way she wanted her life to be.

On the first day of school, everything went great. She made new friends and even got a date! She thought, "I want to be popular and I'm going to be, because I just got a date with the star of the team!" To be known in this school you had to have clout, and dating this guy would sure help her out.

There was only one problem stopping her fate. Her parents had said she was too young to date. "Well, I just won't tell them the entire truth. They won't know the difference; what's there to lose?" Jenny asked to stay with her friends that night. Her parents frowned but said, "All right." Excited, she got ready for the big event but as she rushed around like she had no sense, she began to feel guilty about all the lies, but what's a pizza, a party, and a moonlight ride? Well the pizza was good, and the party was great, but the moonlight ride would have to wait for Jeff was half drunk by this time. But he kissed her and said that he was just fine. Then the room filled with smoke and Jeff took a puff. Jenny couldn't believe he was smoking that stuff. Now Jeff was ready to ride to the point but only after he'd smoked another joint.

They jumped in the car for the moonlight ride, not thinking that he was too drunk to drive. They finally made it to the point at last, and Jeff started trying to make a pass. A pass is not what Jenny wanted at all (and by a pass, I don't mean playing football.) "Perhaps my parents were right....maybe I am too young. Oh Boy, how could I ever, ever be so dumb." With all of her might, she pushed Jeff say away: "Please take me home, I don't want to stay."

Jeff cranked up the engine and floored the gas. In a matter of seconds they were going too fast. As Jeff drove on in a fit of wild anger, Jenny knew that her life was in danger. She begged and pleaded for him to slow down, But he just got faster as they neared the town. "Just let me get home! I'll confess that I lied. I really went out for a moonlight ride."

Then all of a sudden, she saw a big flash. "Oh God, Please help us! We're going to crash!" She doesn't remember the force of impact. Just that everything all of a sudden went black. She felt someone remove her from the twisted rubble, and heard, "call an ambulance! These kids are in trouble!" Voices she heard...a few words at best. But she knew there were two cars involved in the wreck. Then wondered to herself if Jeff was all right, and if the people in the other car was alive.

She awoke in the hospital to faces so sad. "You've been in a wreck and it looks pretty bad." These voices echoed inside her head, as they gently told her that Jeff was dead. They said "Jenny, we've done all we can do. but it looks as if we'll lose you too." "But the people in the other car!?" Jenny cried. "We're sorry, Jenny, they also died."

Jenny prayed, "God, forgive me for what I've done I only wanted to have just one night of fun." "Tell those people's family, I've made their lives dim, and wish I could return their families to them." "Tell Mom and Dad I'm sorry I lied, and that it's my fault so many have died. Oh, nurse, won't you please tell them that for me?" The nurse just stood there-she never agreed. But took Jenny's hand with tears in her eyes and a few moments later Jenny died.

A man asked the nurse, "Why didn't you do your best to bid that girl her one last request?" She looked at the man with eyes so sad. "Because the people in the other car were her mom and dad."

This story is sad and unpleasant but true, so young people take heed, it could have been you.

The Final Act
by Lisa Teller

Screeching tires, shattering glass, twisting metal, fiberglass. The scene is set it all goes black, The curtain raised the final act. Sirens raging in the night, sounds of horror, gasps of fright. Intense pain, the smell of blood tearing eyes begin to flood.

They pull out our bodies one by one, What is going on, we were only having fun! One of my friends is missing, what did I do? Her scattered belongings everywhere, in the road there lies her shoe. A man is leaning over me and looking in my eyes, What were you thinking, son'? Did you really think that you could drive? He pulled up the sheet still looking in my eyes, 'If you'd only called your Mom or Dad, you'd still be alive!

I started to scream, I started to yell; But no one could hear me, no one could tell. They put me in an ambulance; they took me away. The doctor at the hospital exclaimed, DOA! My father's in shock, my mother in tears, she collapses in grief, overcome by the fear. They take me to this house and place me in this box. I keep asking what is happening, But I cant make it stop. Everyone is crying, my family is so sad. I wish someone would answer me, I'm starting to get mad. My mother leans over me and kisses me good-bye, My father pulling her away, she is screaming, 'WHY'? They lower my body into a dirt grave, It feels so very cold, I yell to be saved.

Then I see an angel; I begin to cry. Can you tell me what is happening? she replies 'YOU DIED.' I can't be dead; I'm still so young! I want to do so many things - like sing, and dance, and run. What about college or graduation day? what about a wedding? Please - I want to stay. The angel looked upon me, and with a saddened voice, it didn't have to end like this; you knew you had a choice. I'm sorry it's too late now; time I can't turn back. Your life is finished; that, my son, is a fact! Why did this happen? I didn't want to die!

The angel, she embraced me and with her words she sighed, Son, this is the consequence you paid to drink and drive. I wish you made a better choice, If you did you would be alive. It doesn't matter if you beg me, or plead on bended knee, There is nothing I can do, you have to come with me.

Looking down at my family, I said my last good-bye. I'm sorry I disappointed you, Dad. Mommy, please don't cry, I didn't mean to hurt you, or cause you any pain. I'm sorry all you're left with is a grave that bears my name. I'm sorry all your dreams for me have all been ripped away; the plans for my future all gathered in a grave. It was such a stupid thing I did, I wish I could take it back; But the curtain is being lowered. SO ENDS THE FINAL ACT...

A message from the author: PLEASE DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE IT DESTROYS LIVES!!!

copyright (c) Lisa Teller