Daisy Drove My Car
submitted by Kerri Rawlings '97

I had a run-in with Daisy. She drove my car.

It was the summer before my senior year and my college roommate, Alison, and I were both living in the area. One night we went out to dinner and to Cattle Annie's with two of our guy friends. On the way home Alison got the brilliant idea to stop by Monument Hill. Against my better judgment I drove my car into Sweet Briar and headed towards the statue. Of course the guys asked us questions about Daisy and the school's history. Alison and I told them the ghost stories we knew, so by the time we climbed out of the car at midnight on Monument Hill we were all a bit spooked.

Actually, spooked is an understatement. I was scared to death! I left my car running and told them I was staying five minutes and not a second longer. If they wanted a ride back to campus they had better be in my car when I was ready to go. Everyone nodded their heads and said they understood the rules. As we were getting out of the car Joey reminded me to put my emergency brake on. That is a habit for me but I double-checked and sure enough it was on.

Our adventure began as we opened the squeaky wrought-iron gate on the fence surrounding the monument. As the clouds moved in front of the moon you could almost hear wolves howling in the background! We quietly walked onto the grassy area in front of Daisy's monument.

Joey asked if there was anything special that students did to honor Daisy. Being a smart-mouth I replied, "yeah, we have to face the monument five times a day and bow."

That was my mistake. I had made Daisy mad.

Right after the words left my mouth Adam yelled, "Kerri, your car is moving!"

Sure enough it was rolling towards the edge of the hill. Adam ran towards the car, threw open the door and slammed his hand on the brake. My car was in drive and the emergency brake was off!!!

Joey jumped into my arms - as if there was anything I could do to protect a 6’3, 230 pound guy from a ghost! Alison and Adam dove head first into the back seat while Joey was pushing to get in up front. Without the door even being closed I zoomed down the mountain, never looking back!

To this day I get goose-bumps when I think back to that warm July evening last summer when I had my encounter with Daisy. Some people believe our story while others just laugh and call us crazy.

Does Daisy still roam around campus? That is something that each person has to decide for herself. I know what my answer would be if someone asked me...

Ghost Stories & Mysteries of Sweet Briar

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