NATCHEZ — For 12-year-old Gage Dossett, the next three years are going to be three of the longest years of his life.

When he isn’t playing baseball, basketball or football, this sixth grade Adams County Christian School student is dreaming about turning 15 and living his life on the road.

When The Dart landed on Linden Drive in Natchez, Gage was with his father, washing his future car.

“This car has been sitting up for about two years now,” Gage’s father Allen Dossett said. “The engine in it blew, and we just had a new one put in.”

Allen had just picked up the 1995 maroon Ford Bronco from the shop before bringing it back home to wash and clean with Gage.

“This is kind of a fun thing to do with my son,” he said. “Plus he knows this car is going to be his when he gets old enough so he needs to learn how to take care of it.”

Gage said taking care of it is exactly what he plans to do during the next three years while he is sitting and waiting get behind the wheel.

“I’m going to keep washing and cleaning it,” he said. “I am pretty excited about driving this thing.”

Gage wasn’t the first Dossett to sit and wait on his day to drive the 95 Bronco. He said he remembered watching his older brother vacuum and rinse of the car before he turned 15.

“I used to ride around with him in the car a lot,” he said. “It’s just so big and holds a lot of space. I can’t wait to drive it.”

Gage said he is unsure of what all additions he is going to make to the car, but he has three years to figure that out.

“It’s going to be a long wait,” he said.

Until that day Allen said Gage is going to have to settle with riding shotgun next to his father.

“I am going to take this thing out at least once a week and take him to the ball field and around town in it,” he said. “We have to keep the car running smooth until he can drive.”

Allen said other than adding a radio to the Bronco, everything seems to be in line for his son’s first solo ride.

“I got him this car because it is big and safe,” he said. “You never want anyone driving something unsafe for their first car.”

While Gage waits on the years to pass, he said he was glad he at least has one thing to help pass the time.

“I have baseball practice to look forward to this summer,” he said.