The car rocked as she shut the door. She didn't mean to close it so hard, but her emotions got the best of her. The last few weeks had been a whirlwind of events leading to this moment. The accident, the move, the second accident, the ups and downs of a fresh relationship (though she did not yet recognize the toxicity)....

As she turned the key the engine roared to life with such force that the frame rocked shuttered again. A deep breath and she put the car in gear and began to drive. Gravel crunched beneath the slow tires - her foot seemed to reject the impulse to press down on the accelerator. She reached the smooth pavement after what felt like an eternity. Another deep breath. She raised her eyes to finally face the rear view mirror. Her father stood in the drive waving goodbye, lips quivering beneath his mustache. With tears welling in her own eyes, she took one last deep breath and turned her eyes towards the road ahead, hoping in the end that she made the right choice.