The Priuses and the Road

This thread traces the practical problem of getting around during the body swap and Hadley’s discovery of adult independence.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Ride Falls Through

A Ride Falls Through A failed plan Mr. Hudson’s Chevy Malibu will not start when Hadley and Ms. Pitt need to search for Tatum. The setback adds urgency to an already confusing afternoon. A new possibility Hadley realizes she is in an adult body with access to a car and keys. Her excitement at the prospect of driving briefly overwhelms the danger of the situation.

The Unlicensed Driver

The Unlicensed Driver Keys in hand Hadley takes Ms. Pitt’s Prius and pulls up to collect the others. She relishes the sensation of driving, an independence unavailable to her as a thirteen-year-old. A necessary correction Ms. Pitt points out that neither of them should drive in their current states. Mr. Hudson eventually takes the wheel, converting Hadley’s thrill into a safer group plan.

Adult Freedom Reconsidered

Adult Freedom Reconsidered A borrowed adulthood Hadley’s temporary access to a car feels like a glimpse of high-school independence. Yet the drive is undertaken to help her sister, not to escape responsibility. Freedom with limits The search shows that adult privileges come with judgment and care for others. Hadley’s experience is exhilarating, but the adults around her must still protect everyone from impulsive decisions.

Outside Burroughs Junior High that afternoon

As the search for Tatum begins

On the trip to Hadley’s home