Rules of the Road

by Joan Bauer

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Jenna Boiler finds immense joy in her after-school job selling shoes at Gladstone's Shoe Store in Chicago, Illinois. Despite being sixteen, Jenna is self-conscious about her height (five feet eleven inches), her weight, and her red hair. However, she excels at selling shoes, expertly attending to her customers and ensuring they leave with the perfect pair. Her talent catches the attention of the grumpy president and CEO, Mrs. Madeline Gladstone, who invites Jenna to be her personal driver for a business trip to Dallas, Texas, for the annual stockholders' meeting.

Jenna hesitates when she first lays eyes on the Cadillac she'll be driving. Conquering her own fears and her mother's objections to her taking on such responsibility, Jenna embarks on a summer-long, cross-country journey, leaving behind her troubles, including an alcoholic father.

As Jenna gains confidence in driving, she discovers road rules that were never mentioned in her driver's manual. She notices how these rules mirror life's lessons. Her self-assurance grows as she rises to meet Mrs. Gladstone's expectations, and an unexpected friendship, along with mutual respect, develops between them.

Jenna's business insight proves invaluable to Mrs. Gladstone. As they visit various store managers, Jenna discreetly gathers information about products and store operations to assist Mrs. Gladstone. They work together to sway voters and prevent a hostile takeover at the upcoming stockholders' meeting. Mrs. Gladstone's son, Elden, along with a shoe warehouse owner, plans to transform Gladstone's Shoes into a warehouse-style business with lower-quality products, a change Mrs. Gladstone cannot accept.

Throughout the lengthy summer days, Jenna reflects on her father and the moments he missed, along with his broken promises. She resents the responsibility she feels for his well-being, worrying about his living conditions and diet. Additionally, Jenna feels compelled to protect her younger sister, Faith, and harbors resentment towards her father for the pain he has caused their mother. She is frustrated that he refuses to acknowledge his alcoholism and seek help, even though it has ruined his marriage.

In Dallas, Jenna meets the well-known Harry Bender, a close friend of Mrs. Gladstone and a recovering alcoholic who regularly attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. He generously shares his time and wisdom to support others striving to stay sober. Jenna is drawn to Harry's warm personality, and after his death, she wishes he had been her father. Harry's wise counsel helps Jenna confront Elden Gladstone at the stockholders' meeting. Upon returning to Chicago, she realizes that feeling sorry for herself won't stop her father from drinking. Although she still loves him, Jenna understands that only he can choose whether or not to stop drinking.

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