I Got A DUI To Save My Life
In the life before this onethat other timeline where I was too naive to see the knife comingshe had borrowed my car for our annual family memorial trip back home. On a dark, winding road, she hit and killed an octogenarian.
She pushed it all onto me, telling the highway patrol I was the one driving. Even my boyfriend stood by her, a willing accomplice providing the perjured testimony that pinned the murder on me.
I was torn to shredsliterally. The dead mans family cornered me, and I died after being stabbed eight times, my soul unable to rest.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back. Back to the day my childhood friend asked to borrow the car.
1
Willow, I need your car for the weekend trip back home. Can I just grab your keys?
Sutton Miller, my best friend since kindergarten, saw my frozen silence and must have mistaken it for consent. She reached for my purse, ready to fish out the key fob for the brand-new SUV my dad had just given me last month.
The next second, I snapped back into the present. Seeing her hand reaching for my bag, I instinctively snatched it back and clutched it to my chest.
Willow, what the hell? Im not stealing your stuff. I just need the car keys.
I looked at her, my eyes narrow with a lifetime of paranoia. No. Im driving home myself for the memorial this year.
Sutton clearly wasn't used to hearing the word no from me. She frowned, her voice tightening with impatience. Just take one of the other cars your family owns. You guys have, what, three?
This is my new car. The one Dad just got me last month. Go ask someone else, Sutton. You cant borrow mine.
My voice was firm, but before the last word left my mouth, a strong hand ripped my bag away, found the key fob, and tossed it to Sutton.
Willow, why are you being so cheap? Its just a loan. Its not like she wont give it back. Cant you just take a bus back home for once?
I stared coldly at Dean Thompson, the man who was supposed to be my boyfriend, yet who always, always, backed Sutton up.
I had been so blind in the last life, utterly clueless about the affair between these two rats.
Sutton and I were best friends, practically sisters. We grew up a few hours apart in the same rural community before my parents moved to the city. Last time, when she asked to borrow the car for the memorial, I hadn't hesitated. It was brand new, yes, but I handed her the key without a second thought.
Then came the tragedy. She hit an eighty-year-old man on a dark country road.
There were no cameras in the village, it was late at night, and I hadn't gotten around to installing a dashcam in the new SUV yet. So she pinned it on me. She somehow got ahold of my drivers license and planted it at the scene of the accident.
The police tracked me down via the license. I was already shaken, ready to explain that the car had been loaned out, when Dean, my boyfriend, stepped up and told the cops I was the one driving.
The license was mine. The vehicle was registered to me. The person closest to me testified against me. Any attempt to defend myself was useless.
The victims family found me and demanded a massive settlement. I refused, protesting my innocence. Seeing my refusal, the furious family swarmed me, pushing me into the highway where I was hit and run over by a semi-truck. There was nothing left.
2
The memory of the asphalt and the crushing weight of the truckthe feeling of that betrayalwas enough to burn through my anger and ignite a cold resolve. I stepped forward, shoved Dean aside, and snatched my bag back.
Before he could speak, I snapped, Dean, what the hell is wrong with you? Whose side are you on? Youre my boyfriend, not hers! Why do you always take her side?
My gaze flickered between them. Unless theres something going on between you two?
I didn't finish the sentence, but the panic in their eyes was immediate. They had me pegged as their cash cow, the easily manipulated source of money and favors. They weren't ready to drop the mask just yet.
Willow, how can you even think that? Our twenty years of friendship is all that worth nothing just because I wanted to borrow your car?
Sutton immediately played the victim, the tears springing up with practiced ease.
I shrugged, uncaring. Say whatever you want. Im not lending you the car.
But you can ask him. He has a car. Why are you only focused on borrowing mine? I pointed to Dean.
Dean immediately balked. No. I need my car to go back to my parents place. My dad has bad knees; we need the car.
I let out a cold laugh. Looks like he wont lend it either. Guess youll have to take the train, Sutton.
I grabbed the keys, spun around, and walked away.
After breathing in a few gulps of fresh air, I finally calmed down and drove home, my brow furrowed the whole way. Something still felt wrong.
Suddenly, an idea struck me, and I pulled over to the side of the road, opening my State Department of Motor Vehicles app.
What I saw made my blood run cold. Unbeknownst to me, when Sutton had borrowed my car before I got the new one, she had racked up driving infractions and used my license to take the pointseleven points in total.
My current license was essentially a ticking time bomb. One minor violation, and it would be immediately suspended.
I glanced in my side mirror and saw a State Trooper walking toward my carI'd been stopped for too long on the shoulder. An idea, daring and dangerous, clicked into place.
Last time, Sutton had somehow gotten my license and planted it, which led the police directly to me. This time, I absolutely would not allow that to happen.
She wants my license to frame me? Fine. Ill hand it over to the police myself. Now. Let her try to frame a woman who is legally not allowed to drive.
I grabbed the household disinfectant spray I kept in the cup holderthe one with a high alcohol contentsprayed it around the car, and then, without hesitation, sprayed a quick mist into my mouth.
The Trooper tapped on my window. When I rolled it down, he immediately smelled the sharp, artificial alcohol scent.
His expression hardened. He pulled out a breathalyzer. Maam, Im going to need you to blow into this.
I complied, blowing lightly. Seeing the number flash on the screen, the officer immediately stated, Maam, you are over the limit. Youre being charged with a DUI. Please present your drivers license and registration.
I nodded obediently, handing over the card. I even asked, with genuine, relieved enthusiasm, A DUI means a six-month license suspension, correct?
The officer looked at my overly cheerful expression, confused, assuming I was in shock. Now youre scared, huh? How many times do we have to say it? Dont drink and drive. You just dont listen.
Your license will be suspended for six months, and youll be fined one thousand dollars.
I happily paid the fine, surrendered my license, and called a ride-share service to take me home.
Lying in my own bed, I finally let out the breath Id been holding. No one could frame me now. My license was already with the state.
I told my parents that the new SUV had a major issue and was in the shop, so I couldn't drive back home for the memorial. Since my family had other vehicles, my dad immediately offered to drive us himself.
3
We set off the day before the memorial, long before dawn.
It was about a three-hour drive, so I slept most of the way. I woke up as we pulled up to the old family property.
The house was generally empty, only visited during the holidays and for the annual memorial. The three of us spent the entire afternoon cleaning it up.
The next morning, my parents and I got up early, gathered our offerings, and prepared to head up the hill.
We hadn't walked far when we noticed a commotion up ahead.
I lowered my head and tried to keep walking with my parents, but then someone in the crowd called out my name.
Well, look who it is. If it isn't Xies daughter. Dont you say hello anymore?
I looked up. It was one of the locals from the community.
I only came back a few times a year, and my relationship with these people was purely a nodding acquaintance. I didn't even know half their names; there was no real need to stop.
But since Id been called out, ignoring them would be rude.
I managed a tight smile and was about to move on when someone pulled my arm.
Willow, look at Sutton, though. She brought us all these wonderful gifts. Shes got a car and a nice place in the city, and shes got such an outstanding boyfriend. You should be more like her.
I walked over and saw Sutton and Dean at the center of the crowd, soaking up the attention.
Were they not even trying to hide it anymore? Being addressed as a couple, right out in the open?
Sutton saw me and seemed to realize the locals had jumped the gun. She quickly tried to clarify. Actually, me and Dean are just friends. Please dont misunderstand.
But the locals didnt listen, instead chiding her for being shy and trying to keep a big secret like a new relationship.
I let out a cold laugh. Dean, when exactly did you become Suttons boyfriend? I must have missed that memo.
Panic flashed in Deans eyes. He rushed over and grabbed my sleeve. Willow, honey, I came all this way specifically to see you. I wouldnt have even found your familys place if Sutton hadnt driven me.
He turned to my parents with a fawning, eager expression. Mr. and Mrs. Reid, Im Willows boyfriend. I apologize, I haven't had a chance to buy you proper gifts yet. Its a pleasure to finally meet you here.
The crowd burst into surprised murmurs. So, they had been the ones who misunderstood!
The villager who had been the loudest looked embarrassed and shot a passive-aggressive remark at Sutton. Oh, so hes not yours after all? You should have said something sooner. You got us all confused.
Sutton looked mortified. She hadn't expected the coincidence of me showing up right next to her property and being pulled into the crowd.
I yanked my hand out of Deans grasp and pressed the attack on Sutton. Sutton, since when did you buy a place and a car in the city? Why didnt you tell me?
You must have spent a fortune on all these gifts.
Sutton was silent for a few seconds before defending herself with self-righteous indignation. Were neighbors. Weve known each other for years. Of course, I should buy them gifts. Willow, you shouldnt forget where you come from.
The locals, who had just received her gifts, immediately rallied to her defense and started pointing fingers at me.
Shes a city girl now, looking down on the rest of us here in the country.
I dont know what her parents taught her. Shes a disgrace to the community.
Your dads old man gave him a basket of eggs when he went off to college! Now he makes money and he forgets everyone!
My family hadn't done anything, yet in the locals' mouths, we were the villains.
With so many people openly accusing us, my dad was about to step in and defend me when a group of people suddenly burst into Suttons yard.
Is Willow Reid here?
The leaders voice was loud and commanding. Everyone in the yard instantly turned and fell silent.
4
I quickly stepped forward. Officer, Im Willow Reid. How can I help you?
The officer studied me, seeming to confirm my identity. You are a person of interest in a fatal hit-and-run case. We need you to come with us.
My eyes widened in disbelief. Thats impossible, Officer. I havent driven my car in days.
My dad, too, was instantly alarmed. Absolutely not, Officer! My daughter would never do such a thing!
The officer didn't argue. He held up a transparent evidence bag containing a blood-smeared drivers license.
This is your drivers license. It was recovered at the scene. Whether you were driving or not, we require your cooperation in this investigation.
I looked at the license in the bag, the horrifying realization of their new plan clicking into place.
Before I could speak, Sutton stepped forward, her voice dripping with fake sorrow. Willow, how could you leave the scene? That was someones life!
You always drove too fast. Ive told you countless times, Willow, why dont you ever listen?
She sounded so heartbroken, so convincing, that if I wasn't the victim of her frame-up, I might have been moved.
Wait a minute, Officer, this isnt right, my mom suddenly realized. You said she was involved in a car accident, but my daughter didnt drive her car home this weekend.
We did not find the vehicle at the scene, only some fragments of a bumper, the officer confirmed.
At that moment, Dean stepped forward, a smug look of heroic revelation on his face. I know where the car is!
We all looked at him. A sickening sense of dread welled up inside me.
Dean, looking utterly confident, said, Come with me, officers. Ill show you where she hid the vehicle.
The group left Suttons yard and started walking toward our family property.
Dean led the police into our house. Our seldom-used backyard, which was usually cluttered with old junk, now contained an extra vehiclemy SUV.
But I had parked that car in my garage at my apartment complex in the city! How did it get here?
Officers, this is the vehicle, Dean declared, pointing. Willow was the one driving. She hit the victim, fled the scene, and parked the car here.
She told me everything. If you had arrived any later, she was planning on driving it further up the mountain to hide it.
Deans expression was earnest, but as his eyes met mine, a flicker of triumph crossed them.
Everyone, except my parents, who had been with me all day, now looked convinced that I was the killer.
Willow, you should just turn yourself in, Sutton urged, stepping forward. Its the only way to get a lighter sentence.
My parents were completely lost, their minds reeling from the shock.
I watched the officers take a step toward me. I had to act, or I would go down for murder again.
Officers, that drivers license is not mine, I stated loudly. I have proof!
Dean and Sutton assumed I was just terrified. Dean pointed to the evidence bag. Look closer. Your name is right there on it! How can it not be yours?
The officer, however, ignored them and listened to me. He took the license out of the bag and inspected it closely. Then, in front of everyone, he said:
This license is a forgery. Its fake.
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