"I was thinking the same thing."
The moment we step outside, everything between us feels different. It feels real, and like we’ve declared this isn’t just about a random kiss. "I feel nervous. It’s weird, isn’t it?"
"I do too, and yes, I feel like it’s weird, but I’ve wanted this, and we’ve waited long enough."
"We have waited a while, huh?"
"Ten years, it’s a long time to dream about a date with the perfect woman," he says with a sigh.
"I hope I don’t crush your dream," I respond, walking around to the passenger side of his truck. I slide in at the same time he settles into the driver’s seat.
“It isn’t possible.” Before putting the key into the ignition, he takes my hand and kisses my knuckles. "I have nerves like I’ve never had before, but this feels right."
The drive to town is quiet, but only because I think he’s hyper-focused on the conditions of the road. I feel a skid now and then, but it doesn’t matter what quality of tires or vehicle size we’re maneuvering, it’s ice and there’s no way around it but going slow and easy.
Headlights flash around the corner of the bend, and I hear the metal plow scraping against the packed ice. "This guy is taking up more than half the road. Hold on," Brett says, jerking the truck to the side.
The plow clips the back end of the truck, and we spiral on the ice until we come to a complete stop in front of two trees. When the wave of dizziness clears, I look around the dark cabin of the truck. "Brett! Are you okay?" I ask him, panicking. I can’t see anything in the dark, only the glow from the headlights coming from the opposite direction. "Brett?"
25
With a shaky hand,I reach upfor the ceiling of the truck, searching for a light. I press the button when I find it, illuminating the front seat. Brett’s hands are still on the steering wheel, his eyes are open wide, not blinking, and his mouth is ajar. I grab his arm and shout at him louder. "Brett! Can you hear me?"
His chest is moving fast, up and down, and the sound of hyperventilation grows from his lungs.
He’s breathing.
"Say something," I beg. He still won’t blink. I push the gear into neutral and yank the emergency brake up, thankful it’s in the center.
I search his body for injury, but the interior of the truck is still intact. Maybe he knocked the wind out of himself if his chest hit the steering wheel. The airbags didn’t deploy.
I unbuckle and check myself for any sign of injury, feeling nothing but shock. I lean over and place my hand on the side of Brett’s face. He’s cold, but there’s sweat on the back of his neck. "They did it on purpose," he says.
"Keep talking," I tell him. "It was an accident. We’re okay. You’re okay,”
"They did it on purpose," he says again.
The driver in the plow truck is knocking on Brett’s window, but Brett isn’t moving a muscle. I open my door and jump out. "I think he’s in shock, maybe. I’m not sure what’s going on," I tell the man.
"Unlock the door," he says. "Let me help. I’m so sorry. I miscalculated the turn. I’m so sorry."
I search the door for the lock button, finding it right away. The other driver opens Brett’s door and looks him over from head to toe. "Hey bud, can you look at me?"
"They did it on purpose," Brett says again.
"No, man, it was an accident. I didn’t mean to get so close. I’m so sorry. My tires slipped."
"They killed them. All of them," Brett continues.
The other driver looks over at me with a confused look written across his face. "I don’t know what he’s talking about."
I climb back into the passenger seat and place my hand back on his cheek. "Brett, you’re okay. Take a deep breath."
His hands are white with red rings encircling his knuckles from squeezing the steering wheel, and his cheeks are burning red. "I don’t understand," Brett says.
I take one of his hands from the steering wheel and squeeze it between mine. Sweat coats his palm, and he’s shaking.
Brett moves his other hand to his lap, feeling for his pocket. His face seems to relax as he glances down to his pocket. I don’t know what he’s looking for, but he moves his head around, looking from side to side, finding me. "Oh my God, Melody. Are you okay?" he asks.
