Page 55 of Rules for Rule Breaking
Bobby took the keys off of the nightstand and threw them into Winter’s hands. “It’s a straight shot from here to Princeton. I trust you.”
“You shouldn’t.”
“But I do.”
“You’re just trying to get in my good graces,” she said, throwing the keys back. “This isn’t the way.”
“Then what is?”
Winter sighed. “We should go back to how things were. Why wait until we get home?”
“I didn’t mean that.”
“But you said it, and you’re getting back together with Jacqueline, right?” she asked, tapping her foot. Bobby didn’t answer, so Winter snatched the keys from him. “Whatever. I need to get the hell out of here.”
The keys felt heavy in her hands. He trusted her, but he probably shouldn’t. He was probably only saying that he did to get out of the doghouse. If he was willing to risk his car to make amends with her, she should at least be slightly willing to crash it. If he continued to piss her off, there were probably many beautiful ditches in New Jersey they could tour instead.
They packed their things into the car, and it was Winter’s time to overcome her fear. She hopped into the driver’s seat and took a deepbreath. It was strange viewing the world how Bobby saw it. The seat was way too far back, and she couldn’t see a single thing in any of the mirrors. She adjusted everything and said a silent prayer.
Bobby was slumped in the passenger seat as she started the engine and gingerly drove off. She was going exactly the speed limit, and she braked for every little thing. Every time she did that, Bobby lurched forward, so she did it more.
She went through an intersection, and another car zipped behind her, nearly swiping their bumper. They laid on the horn and Winter’s heart beat fast as the sound swelled and disappeared with the Doppler effect.
“Be careful of the lights!” Bobby snapped. “They’re on the sides.”
“How was I supposed to know that? I don’t drive. Ever. Especially in big cities.”
Bobby’s tone softened. “I’m sorry. You’re doing fine. Just mind the lights.”
“Can you be quiet? I can’t concentrate.”
That was the last time they spoke until they got to New Jersey. Bobby was right about it being a short and pleasant ride. The roads were empty enough, and the part she hated about driving most was other people. In engineering and robotics, trial and error were par for the course, but in driving, if you made a mistake, you literally died.
After arriving in New Jersey and several mansplain sessions from Bobby about jug handles, they were there. All she had to do was park.I can do this. It’s literally my last name,Winter thought to herself.
Princeton was greener than she expected. But she supposed that made sense since New Jersey was the Garden State. The trees made the campus feel cozy. There was also a long lake with lanes set up and people with strong-looking arms using their paddles to chop through the water and glide under the bridge she was driving on.They passed by the library with its large open windows and hanging lights and past a fountain with a statue made of crushed metal in the center. There were couples walking around it and children splashing in the water.
“Park on this street,” Bobby said, pointing at the next street over.
Winter got nervous and missed the turn. Because she missed that side street, she ended up on the main street. It was a lot more crowded than the highway. She was starting to sweat, and Bobby’s phone ringing loudly through Bluetooth was making her nervous.
“Can you answer that?” she asked. She looked at the caller ID, which told her it was Jacqueline.
Bobby sent the call to voicemail and put his phone back into the cup holder. It rang again.
“Just answer it, Bobby,” she demanded. “I can’t concentrate.”
“Keep your eyes on the road.”
“If you want to drive, then drive. Otherwise shut up so I can concentrate.”
Winter let out a long breath and hoped all her frustration would come out with it. She was cruising along a street with several consignment stores and ice-cream shops and places to get bubble tea when Bobby’s phone rang again through the speakers.
“Jacqueline clearly needs to talk to you about something important,” she said.
“I don’t want to talk to her.”
“Why? Because I’m here? You can only talk to her about me if it’s behind my back, right?” Winter retorted.
