The Price of Collision

Carmen hit the road with eyes full of hope, and through the rearview mirror, I could see her eyes glittering with a frightening intensity.

"Carmen, take it easy!" the guy riding shotgun cautioned.

Carmen just giggled. "Relax, I've got mad driving skills!"

I was not sure if it was the excitement or the booze, but we had barely left the parking lot when she whipped the car into a wild turn.

My heart skipped a beat, and before I could get a word out, there was a loud crash.

An electric scooter lay toppled over, and the old lady riding it was sprawled out on the ground.

Chaos broke loose inside the car.

"Carmen, what kind of driving is that?!"

"Can you handle this? Maybe we should let Yvonne drive instead!"

Everyone was talking over each other, blaming her, while Carmen turned ghostly pale, gripping the steering wheel as it shook.

Patrick was freaking out, too. He quickly unbuckled Carmen's seatbelt. "Carmen, get to the back. Now!"

He whispered urgently, his eyes darting around. "When the cops show up, we'll say Yvonne was the one driving."

I stared at him, my eyes wide with disbelief. "You want me to cover for her?"

Patrick stood his ground, his voice filled with conviction. "Carmen's your bestie. What's the big deal in giving her a hand?

"You're sober and insured. What's there to be scared of?"

He pulled Carmen out of the driver's seat. "Carmen, come on. I won't let you get in trouble."

However, Carmen snapped back to reality, checking the time on her watch. She shook her head fiercely, slipped out of Patrick's grip, and rushed to the driver of the scooter. "How much do you want?

"Just tell me. As long as you don't call the cops, I can pay whatever you ask!"

Murmurs spread through our group.

"What's up with Carmen? Settling this privately is going to cost a fortune."

"And what if they demand a ridiculous sum?"

"Carmen, Yvonne's car is insured. Better get back here quick."

Carmen ignored them, her voice urgent. "A number. Give it to me now! I'm pressed for time!"

The old lady got up, unsteady on her feet, eyeing Carmen skeptically. "You're just going to leave? How will I know if I'll end up with complications?"

Carmen pointed at my car. "Worried about complications? Take a photo of my license plate.

"However, I really have an emergency. Just name your price, and I'll pay it."

Patrick, clueless, tugged at her sleeve. "Carmen, have you lost your mind to the booze?"

Carmen pulled Patrick aside and whispered something in his ear. His expression transformed in an instant, and he turned to the lady, then all business. "Carmen's right. The license plate's all you need. If you have any future issues, you can come to us.

"We've got to split now!"

I thought they had lost their minds.

"Hey, that's my ride!"

I whipped out my phone, snagged a quick video, then bailed out of the car. "I'm going to call the cops and the insurance..."

I got cut off mid-sentence when Patrick clamped his hand over my mouth. "No!"

Everyone's eyes were glued to him as he fumbled for words. "Carmen was just trying to be nice, giving us a lift home. We can't rat her out.

"Think about it. If the cops get involved, how will Carmen get her license? What about her rep?"

I had to laugh. What about my reputation?

Before I could get a word in, Patrick was whispering threats. "Yvonne, ditch this clunker tomorrow.

"I'll get you a shiny new one when I'm rolling in dough, okay?"

Carmen yanked him back and gave me an icy smirk. "So, you're saying that I was driving? And you're trying to shake me down?

"Here's a tip: loosen up. There's nothing money can't fix."

At that, the old lady exclaimed excitedly, "Ten thousand dollars!"

Carmen let out a relieved breath and paid 10,000 dollars to the old lady like it was nothing.

The old lady's jaw hit the floor.

Carmen was all chill. "I was bracing for more. It's only 10,000 dollars."

Everyone's jaws joined the old lady's.

"Carmen, since when can you throw around cash like that? I thought your family was tight on money?"

"Right? The old lady looks fine. Just a scratch, tops."

"Are you sure you didn't slip an extra zero in there?"

The old lady gulped, scooped up her scooter, and bolted. "All good here, we'll call it even."

"Just remember: you offered. Don't come running after me later!" Carmen said.

The gang was itching to get going, but Carmen blocked their path with a wave of her hand.

She wore a triumphant grin and whispered with a hint of mystery, "After tonight, I'll be rolling in dough.

"Think of that 10,000 dollars as only cash burned to dodge a bullet. No big deal."