Part 307 (1/2)

herself as whole, rather than as parts of the people she'd loved the

best.

She looked through the gloom to the house nestled on the hill, and hoped

with all her heart she would dream of it that night. When she did, she

would open that door. She would stand, and look, and she would see.

Releasing the brake, she started down the narrow road. Six months

before, she knew, she wouldn't have had the courage to come alone, to

open herself to all those feelings. It was good, so good not to be

afraid.

The headlights flashed into her rearview mirror so close, so fast, they

blinded her. Instinctively she threw a hand up to block the glare.

Drunk and stupid, she thought and glanced for a place to pull over and

let the car pa.s.s.

When it rammed her from behind, her hands clamped automatically on the

wheel. Still, the few seconds of shock cost her, and had her veering

dangerously close to the guardrad. Dragging the wheel back, she heard

her tires squeal on the wet pavement. Her heart jackhammered to her

throat as she slid sideways around the next Turn.

”Asmhole!” With a trembling hand she wiped a smear of blood from her lip

where she'd bitten it. Then the lights were blinding her again, and the

impact of the next hit had her seat belt snapping against her

breastbone.

There was no time to think, no room for panic. Her rear fender slapped

against the metal guard as her car s.h.i.+mmied. The car behind backed off

as she fought her own out of a skid. She saw the tree, a big leafy oak,

and used every ounce of strength to jerk the wheel to the right.