His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel, eyes locked on the road. Angry music was blaring from his stereo's speakers loud enough to shake the windows of his tiny four door sedan, but all he could hear were her last words, playing on repeat.
"I'll love you forever, baby."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
The tears came streaming and the first sob ripped from his throat. Banging the heel of his palm on the steering wheel, he could feel himself coming undone again. It had been two years and the pain was still fresh. Never having had a chance to say goodbye, he felt robbed. He had been notified via e-mail by one of his fiancée's sisters that her body had finally given up on fighting the infection.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
With a grunt, he pressed harder on the accelerator. Lowering his eyes, he watched the speedometer rise.
80 mph.
He could feel his pulse thumping in his temples.
90 mph.
His hands were numb.
100 mph.
The AC was having trouble keeping up with the night's humidity.
110 mph.
Almost there.
120 mph.
A small smile spread across the young man's face as he slowly took one hand off the wheel. He unfastened his seatbelt then cranked the stereo's volume up as high as he could. Inhaling deeply, he positioned her face at the front of his mind. On exhale, he jerked the steering wheel, plowing into the guard rail.
