Tires screamed over cracked asphalt as the sedan tore down the main road.
Dust kicked up behind her in long dirty clouds. Loose gravel pinged the undercarriage. The steering wheel shook in Naomi's hands every time the car hit a pothole, but she kept her foot hard on the gas anyway.
Inside the car, cheerful music filled the cabin at a volume that felt insulting.
Some..hippie reggae love song she wouldn't listen to under any circumstances.
Naomi gritted her teeth.
She reached one hand off the wheel and slapped at the radio.
Nothing.
The song kept going.
She jabbed buttons blindly.
SCAN.
AM/FM.
CD.
EJECT.
The music crackled for half a second, then returned even louder.
"Oh, come on."
She hit the dashboard with the heel of her palm.
Plastic rattled. A vent popped loose.
The lyrics continued.
"Jesus Christ!"
She yanked the knob. It came off in her hand.
She stared at it.
Then threw it across the passenger seat.
The song continued like it was mocking her.
