Paternal Payback On the day I received my learner's permit, my father agreed to take me out for a driving lesson. With a big grin, he hopped in behind the driver's seat. ""Why aren't you sitting up front on the passenger's side?"" I asked. ""Kirsten, I've been waiting for this ever since you were a little girl,"" Dad replied. ""Now it's my turn to sit back here and kick the seat.""