The engine came alive.
Her hands tightened around the steering wheel.
For one terrible instant, another engine filled her memory.
Darkness.
The motion of Greg’s vehicle.
Waking restrained and not knowing where she was being taken.
Joan shut her eyes.
Then she opened them.
This vehicle had windows.
Her keys.
Her door.
Her decision.
She put it in gear.
Several mornings later, Joan woke before sunrise.
She dressed.
Walked outside alone.
The world was cool and blue with early light.
Her SUV waited in the driveway.
She opened the driver’s door.
Stopped.
Then looked back at the house.
Her sister had left a porch light burning.
Nobody came outside.
Nobody asked where she was going.
Because Joan had told them she wanted this first drive to belong only to her.
She sat down.
Adjusted the mirror.
