Dru opened the car door for Mara. She got in the front seat this time. She felt so scared and excited that she feared she might slip back into her own world. She held her head for a moment.
“Little girl, what's wrong?” Dru's voice was tender. He put his arms around her and felt her tremble. Mara couldn't speak. How could he not know what was wrong? How could he pretend that everything was just fine? By his inaction, he had been involved in causing harm to her friends, the professor and Battery. Yet she forgot everything when her head rested on his chest. One of his hands reached up to stroke her head and her braids.
Like a brave turtle emerging from its shell, Mara forced her head away from the comfort of Dru's body.
“Dru, before we go to meet your uncle, please tell me what happened between you and Battery.”
Dru jolted back. The last thing on earth he wanted to disclose to Mara at this time were his past weaknesses. He composed himself and rested his hand on her knee. He looked at the lovely, young woman across from him in the car. He knew he owed her the truth and sighed.
“The night of the accident when Battery's father and brother were killed, I was out driving around with some friends. I had invited Literati—that was her brother's name—out with us, but he had promised to go into town with his dad. We were good friends.
“We were messing about on some back roads, drinking and drag racing.” Dru stared straight ahead and squeezed Mara's knee. “There were two cars, and we took up both lanes—our lane and the oncoming traffic lane—when we dragged. I didn't have my license yet, so I went to stand at the side of the road.
As the race was underway, a vehicle came toward us. It was Literati and his dad. The guy driving the oncoming car swerved but couldn't stop. It was a near head-on collision.” Mara could feel the sweat from Dru's hand on her knee as it squeezed.
“I ran to Literati's car. His dad had been driving and was unconscious. They were both covered in blood. My friend in the other vehicle looked much the same. Literati opened his eyes, and I told him I was going to get help–” Dru's voice cracked and Mara saw his chest heave.
He continued, “I ran down the road and called for help. But I never went back. Battery's brother and father and my other friend were taken to the hospital. The friend who was driving on the correct side of the road was okay and was charged by the police with mischief for participating in a drag race. He did not mention anyone else being there, and I did not come forward.
“Battery's father and the other driver were pronounced dead on the way to the hospital. Literati died later that night. At the funeral, Battery told me that she had seen Literati in the hospital. Just before he died, he had asked her when I was going to get back, that he was waiting for me.” Dru broke off. He removed his glasses and wiped his eyes. He felt guilt trickle hotly down his face.
“You see, Battery knew that I was there that night. I couldn't have done anything or changed the circumstances, but I never came forward to the police. It would have been bad publicity for my uncle.
Mara put her hands on Dru's face to absorb the shame. He looked at her, completely vulnerable. She did not tell him that it was okay. She offered neither absolution nor judgement. She merely sat back in her seat and thanked him for being honest with her.
“Okay,” she said, “let's go.”