Klaroline (english translation)

The Accident

It was May 17, 1953. On this day Caroline Forbes drove a car for the first time. It was not common for women in their village to drive cars at that time. Only women who were wealthy had enough fortune to get a driving license. The Forbes Family, however, was anything but wealthy. This did not stop Caroline, she said she did not have to have a driving license to drive a car.
She has always been an ambitious and adventurous young girl. So the older brother of her best friend let her drive that day. He sat at the passenger seat and the best friend behind ...

•••

"So Caroline, now slowly push the pedals and the car will move, but very slow." Stefan explained to me what I had to do. I did as explained and pressed very slowly on the pedal. The car caught creeping to move and I became nervous.

The nervousness quickly became an excitement, however, because the faster I drove out of the yard of my best friend, the happier i became.

"Good, now you have to look left and right to see if someone is coming, and if not, you drive slowly and turn left." "Sure, boss." I said, laughing, which also made Stefan laugh.

He was three years older than me and because we get along like a house on fire, many people thought we were a couple. We both made fun of each other and about this thing. Stefan is the brother I never had for me. He does not just keep an eye on Mary-Anne but also me. His family and mine are family friends, we can not be divided.

"Oh, Caroline, before I forget, next month the fair of our neighboor village will take place. Please go with us. "You know I do not like to go on such festivals."

Our small town fair was an exception, because everyone knew  each other I had no problem to go slumming among the people. But when it comes to going to other villages or towns, I do not dare. I'm a clumsy fellow. There is no place where I don't make a complete fool of myself.

"You're far too shy Caroline, live a little, you can not hide in this village your whole life!" I had thought of that to be honest. But didn't tell her that.

"If you are finished with your discussion, try to park the car." Stefan said. "What?"

Parking ? I can not even drive properly. "That was a joke, calm down." He laughed at me.

"That was enough for today, stop here." my best firends brother told me, and I stopped as slowly as I could before the crossroads.
"Wow i was really driving." I realized just now, proudly, and Stefan said we should chance seats as fast as possible. Before someone notices, because I do not have a driving license.

Just as I wanted to get off, a car came around the corner. Loud music thundered from the windows.

I didn't realize what was happening in fornt of me. It all went too fast. The scream of Mary-Anne brought me back to reality.

"Have you lost your mind?"Stefan yelled. He had already gotten out and was heading towards the driver of the other car. The boy had raised his hands and tried to calm Stefan. Once more he apologized.

Four other guys got out of the car.

One of them looked me in the eyes. I looked away and got out. Mary-Anne did the same.

I looked at the lifting hood, white smoke was coming out of the engine. Both cars were demolished completely from the front.

What on earth has happened here?

"Why do you stop right behind the crossroads?" One of the other boys shouted at Stefan. "Who says you have to turn to me at high speed and do not even look where you drive." He replied.

"Calm down all of you !" If all eyes wouldn't be on me, I would not have noticed that I was just so loud.

These crazy guys. Who turns on a sharp curve so quickly and without looking? Sure, we should not have stood so long behind the curve, but you do not drive like that. In addition, he should take care that he turns on his own lane. What he didn't do.

"Of course every time a woman drives, something like this happens." The boy, who had come out of the passenger seat, looked at me arrogantly.

"What does that mean?" The shock from the car crash just turned to anger.

"You've already understood me, sweetie."

"Calm down Caroline, let's not temporize this whole thing." Mary-Anne said to me. I had not even noticed that I almost made my way to this arrogant snort. Because my best friend held me in a strong grip.

"Let's try to clarify this in a quiet way." The driver of the other car said. He seems to be the most reasonable of all.
Stefan nods and goes with him a few steps, so they leave us alone for a short while.