Crash and Burn

Chapter 3

Patrick got in my car and we just drove around and talked. Eventually it was dark outside, the stars were gleaming, and the traffic lights all seemed too bright.

"Hm... Favorite color?" Patrick asked and glanced across the center council.

"Blue. You?" I didn't even have to think about that one.

"Green. Do you like dogs or cats better?"

"Cats. I have two," I said.

"Cute," Patrick smiled. "Although, I am a dog person."

I opened my mouth in mock offense and put my hand up. "How can you like dogs? They just drool and poop on sidewalks."

He laughed and then said, also mocking me, "Missy, Missy, Missy. Dogs will protect you if there's someone in your house. Dogs will actually come when you call them. Dogs poop in grass, not on sidewalks. So, that is how I can like dogs."

"Fine," I mumbled and tried not to smile. I took off my sweatshirt at a stoplight and tossed it in the back seat. Patrick looked over at me and just stared at something. "What? What are you staring at? Is something wrong?"

"Th... That scar. What happened?" Patrick looked kind of nervous. 

I got really self conscious all of a sudden. "It doesn't matter."

The blue sky and leafy trees flying past us. And then the black asphalt. Too black. "Watch out!" I screamed. But it was too late. Aaron drove straight through the oil slick. "I love you Missy!" Aaron yelled just before the bone jarring slam, the searing pain, and the black smoke that settled over us as the bike burst into flames. And then everything went dark. 

"Missy!"

I snapped out of my thoughts just as Patrick grabbed the steering wheel to get us back towards the road. "Oh my God," I said as I shakily pulled the truck over. "I'm so sorry." Once again, the tears were flowing. I got out of the truck, walked a few feet, and sat down on the wet grass.