"Kill it! Kill it! Kill it!" Krystal screamed, pointing at a tiny spider.
Monica glanced at Krystal long enough to observe her reaching to unbuckle her seatbelt while pressing herself as flat against the seat as she could. She couldn't help it. Krystal looked so ridiculous, cringing in terror like that. Monica burst out laughing.
"What are you laughing at," Krystal demanded, still pressed tightly against the back of her seat. "I can't help it, Monica. I'm allergic."
"I'm sorry Krystal, I didn't know," Monica said as she grabbed a napkin and reached to squish the harmless creature, never slowing her speed. Keeping her eyes on the road, she asked, "Could you toss this out the window for me?"
"Ugh," Krystal said with a grimace. Using only the tips of her long nails, she took the napkin from Monica while rolling down her window and quickly tossed it out. She rolled her window back up, closed her eyes tightly and shuddered. "I really hate spiders," she quietly said.
Monica turned and gave Krystal an apologetic smile. Wow, she thought, she really is scared. She's as white as a sheet. Her thoughts stopped as she observed a detour sign, dead ahead.
"Gee," she said, slowing slightly to read the sign, "when did they put a detour up? I sure don't remember it."
Krystal shrugged, not paying attention. She had pulled her compact out and was busy scrutinizing her reflection. Using her pinkie finger, she fixed a smudge in her perfectly lined lips. A blemish only she could see.
Monica stepped on the brake, easing her car to a crawl as she studied the detour sign. She glanced towards the dark unfamiliar street, then shook her head.
"I don't know this way Krystal," she said, "and I'm really uncomfortable taking it. What do you think? Turn around, or try this way?"