The car bumpered hard off the high curb in front of Sue's Powder Puff. I shoved the gear into park without even bothering to break, and this caused my mother to lurch forward in the seat beside me. Her patent leather purse (it was the white one now which meant spring was here) tumbled to the floor. She glanced at me nervously and let out a tense little sigh. I knew she was afraid to speak and I liked the edge of power I had...