Avery. Naked.

My mind raced as I drove to work later that evening. The conversation Jack and I’d had earlier had really taken a toll on me. I couldn’t believe that he’d seriously think I’d part with my animals. That said, I was proud of myself. I’d really stood my ground.

Dr. Drexel Carrington a/k/a the good doctor says that I have to strongly assert my wishes in order to get what I want. He tells me this at every one of our sessions. I won’t go into the details at this very moment as to why voicing my desires is so hard, but—needless to say—the good doctor would be very happy with the way I’d handled Pet-gate.

No sooner had I pat myself on the back, did I begin dreading what I’d soon experience at work. Admitting to myself that my relationship had failed was one thing. The thought of having to deliver the news to my co-workers was another. I’d feel inept. I’d feel like a failure.

I know, I know. There’s no reason to feel the way. The women in my nursing unit have always been supportive of me—cheering me on and providing a shoulder for nearly a decade. But this situation was different. This wasn’t a battle with an uncooperative doctor. This wasn’t my annoyance with my slothful older brother. always worked diligently to present a perfect personal life. Now I’d be forced to admit that my life had fallen apart. Tonight, my colleagues would discover that the emperor had no clothes. Those thoughts, however, were abruptly interrupted.

It suddenly began to rain—no, not rain. It suddenly began to pour. I couldn’t see a thing. I turned on the windshield wipers, but the rain can down too hard for even their highest speed. The next 20 seconds were a blur. I heard the sounds of tires screeching. I felt the unexpected surprise of a loud car horn. And I saw red break lights.

Crash.