Kat only chuckled and waved goodbye as she went to serve others. Spencer looked at Ashley, “What was that?”

            “Oh apparently I have something of a cult following on the Internet ever since Kat recorded a couple of my more sober sets and posted them. I have no doubt that this impromptu little concert will be there by tomorrow.”

            “So why say it at all?”

            “It makes it more fun for her if she can tell the viewers that it was posted under threat of punishment if I find it on there.”

            “You really care for her don’t you?”

            “Yea she’s one of the few reasons that I haven’t killed myself.”

            Spencer was stunned by this admission. The rest of the walk to the car and the drive home was conducted in silence. When they got to the pool of yellow light in front of the Carlin house Ashley turned to her, “Well we’re back. Goodbye?”

            “Will I see you tomorrow?”

            “Yes. I’ll even pick you up of you want.”

            “I look forward to it.” Spencer started to get out of the car but remembered something and turned back, “Ashley…?”

            “I leave my baby at home if she makes you uncomfortable.”

            “Thanks,” Spencer got out of the car and started to walk up to her house. Behind her she heard the engine of the car wind up then drop back to normal level. She turned and waved at the car as it rolled away. She then turned and went into the house to face her dad and the inquisition alone.

            Ashley managed to keep the RPM on the engine low until she was out of audio range for the house. Then she surrendered and floored the accelerator. The car leapt forward engine growling as she rolled quickly through the gears on the standard transmission. Finally she reached overdrive and the engine peaked at 7500 RPM. The interstate was empty in front and behind and the radar detector was silent. She had never driven this car before and was eager to put it through its paces.

            It blinked at her indicating that is was digitally limited to going 183 mph. The flat stretch of road rolled on for miles and at almost two hundred miles per hour Ashley felt as though she was free of the memories, free of the pain, free of Spencer.