Page 16 of Pretty Thing

“You sure?”

His brows pull together, and I nod, unable to say anything else without bursting into tears.

“Alright then. If you need me to stop, just let me know.”

We pull out of the hospital parking lot, and I watch the building disappear in the side view mirror. Felix turns on the radio, and it’s on my favorite station.

“I love classic rock,” I say.

“So do I. They don’t make music the same way they did in the seventies and eighties. Let me guess, you’re a Creedence Clearwater Revival fan?”

The first real smile spreads across my face.

“No, but that was my parents’ favorite, along with The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and the Beatles, of course.”

“Of course. So who is your favorite?”

“Oh boy, so many. I love AC/DC and Metallica, but I’m also a big fan of Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi, Pink Floyd, and I’m totally obsessed with Queen.”

He smiles as we roll to a stop at a red light.

“I like it.”

“What about you?”

“I’m more of a song and vibes guy over a specific band. I listen to the artists and songs I like on shuffle. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I really like The Black Keys, Greta Van Fleet, Royal Blood, but the new stuff just isn’t iconic like We Will Rock You or Highway to Hell.”

“Yeah, I would get into really heated arguments with my dad about the best songs of all time.” Taking a breath, I look out the window. “I guess that’s never happening again.”

Felix grabs my hand and entwines our fingers together.

“It’s going to be okay. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Why are you being so nice to me? You barely know me.”

“Eden, people don’t survive what we did by chance.”

I don’t know what to say to that. Does that mean my parents were meant to die, but I wasn’t? Was I meant to be left alone? Were we meant to be left alone?

“Do you know how many vehicles were in the accident?” I shake my head. “Nineteen. Do you know how many people survived?” I shake my head again. “Two. You and me. That’s it. We are still here. That has to mean something.”

There is a hollowness in my chest, and an intense sadness mixed with fear and confusion. How can all of those be true at the same time?

I’m lost in thought and realize that Felix hasn’t asked me where my house is, but when I look up, we are turning onto my street.

“How do you know where I live?”

Felix turns his head and lifts an eyebrow.

“You told the admin,” he says. “I was there with you. Don’t you remember?”

Little bits of a conversation like that dance just out of reach behind my eyes.

“I’m sorry…I know I’m being weird.”

We pull into my empty driveway, and my parents’ missing car is just another reminder that they’re never coming home.

Felix parks and then turns in his seat to look at me.