The car raced into the night, and Elisabetta experienced the sensation that she and Marco were hurtling together through space and time. Tears came to her eyes. She thought of her father and wondered where he was right now, perhaps on his way to heaven, as suspended as she in time and space. She wished she could see him just one more time.
Marco slowed the car and pulled over to the side of the road, but Elisabetta didn’t know why. She looked over, expecting to find him grinning, exhilarated from their adventure. Instead she could see in the light from the dashboard that he looked crestfallen, and his large eyes glistened.
“Marco, what’s the matter?”
“I’m sorry your father died. I can’t imagine how sad you are, but I know you must be worried about so many things, especially money. Is that right?”
“Thank you, but I know what to do.”
“Elisabetta, you don’t have to do this alone. I love you, and I will help you. I will give you any money you need. Anything to make your life easier.”
Elisabetta felt moved. “Marco, I don’t need your money.”
“I wanted you to know that you never have to do anything alone, ever again. You are no longer alone, as long as I live.”
Elisabetta felt her heart respond, as the sentiment comforted her on the very day she felt more alone than ever. She leaned over and kissed him gently on the lips, and he kissed her back, more fully, and she felt lost in his kiss the way she always did with him, as his tenderness swept her away. In the next moment, he released her from his embrace, moving a strand of her hair back.
“Now, it’s your turn.” Marco got out of the driver’s seat, opened her car door, and gestured her out of the car. “Come on, get in the driver’s seat.”
Elisabetta recoiled. “Marco, are you crazy? I don’t know how to drive.”
“It’s easy. Idiots do it every day.”
“Not this idiot.”
“Look, this is the perfect place to learn.” Marco gestured at the country road, a dark line stretching into the night. “There’s no other traffic, and all you have to do is go straight.”
“Marco, no.”
“Elisabetta, what did I tell you? You can do anything. Come on.” Marco hustled to the passenger side and opened the door, where despite her objections, he lifted her bodily from the seat, marched her around to the driver’s seat, and closed the door.
“Marco, I can’t drive.” Elisabetta put her hands on the steering wheel.
“Yes, you can. I’ll help you.” Marco vaulted inside into the passenger seat and landed with a little grunt, then they both burst into laughter.
“You’re crazy!”
“You’re not crazy enough. Feel on the floor with your feet. There’s a gas pedal on the right and a clutch pedal on the left.”
Elisabetta fumbled for the pedals, then placed her feet on them. “Okay.”
“Brava! Now press your right foot down to feed the car gas, and press up with your left foot to engage the clutch.”
“At the same time?”
“Yes, but when I tell you. Right foot down, left foot up. I’ll do the rest.”
“What’s the rest?”
“The gearshift. Don’t worry about it.”
“Still, it sounds hard.”
“Only at first. You’ll get the hang of it.”
“So do it now?”
“Yes. Now.”
Elisabetta pressed one foot down and the other up. The car lurched, bucked, then stopped, the engine screeching as if in agony. “Oh no! Did I break it?”
“No.” Marco chuckled. “Try again. Ready? Now.”
Elisabetta tried again, but it happened a second time, which left her shaken, if determined. “Again!”
“Okay. Now.”
Elisabetta tried again, and though the car stutter-stepped forward and the engine screeched, this time it didn’t stop. “Oh, look! Did it work?”
“Keep going, give it more gas!” Marco spoke louder to be heard over the engine.
“No more clutch?”
“Not until I say!”
Elisabetta gave the car gas, squeezed the wheel, and tried to steer straight. The car’s headlights shone cones of light in the darkness, and she didn’t dare to look left or right, focused on her driving. The car sped up, and the smooth sensation of motion made her smile, then the engine whined at a higher pitch, like a cat with its tail stepped on.
“Clutch again! Now!”
Elisabetta didn’t understand. “The clutch is already up!”