Author's note: This will be mostly a flashback, to explain the events leading to Saylinda's death. It's Mark telling everyone what happened.
Roger stood by Mark's side, listening to him talk to the police. It's been several days since the accident, and they were still trying to piece together the full story. Mark had finally agreed to talk to the police about the accident, and Roger had agrees to be there for moral support. It was a small affair, with only the two main investigating officers, Mark, and Roger in the room while Mark was being questioned. The police started simply. "Where were you and Miss Jackson going on the day of the accident?" Mark took a deep breath, looked at Roger, who nodded encouragingly, and began.
"Well, seeing as how it was Saturday night, Saylinda had called and asked me if I wanted to go to a party. She said she'd called Roger and asked him, but he had to do something for his mother. I said yes. When she showed up at my house to pick me up, I realized she'd already been drinking, so I decided to drive. We got to the party, and there was…there were things going on that I really didn't want any part of."
Flashback
A low cloud of smoke filled the air. Mark looked around, trying to figure out where the smoke was coming from. One glance at Saylinda told him everything. He shivered. "Sayl, I think I'm gonna go. This is not my kind of party." Saylinda glanced at him. "Come on, Mark, don't be such a spoilsport. The party just hasn't begun yet. We're just getting warmed up." Mark gazed around; there were people drinking, people taking hits of joints or crack. He shook his head. "Not something I want to do. Ever. Enjoy that party." He turned to leave, but Saylinda caught his arm. "Then stay and be my designated driver?" Mark thought a moment, then nodded. "Okay. That I can do"
End flashback
Roger, by this point in the story, had knelt down at Mark's side, squeezing his hand. "So you were driving so that she could get home safely. What happened to cause the accident?" Mark looked at him. "Look, Rog, I know you think that this is somehow my fault, but it's not. If I could have saved her life…I'd have gladly died in her place." Roger frowned. "You think I blame you? I could never…there was absolutely nothing you could have done. I know if there was, you would have done it. I'm not blaming you for anything. I just want to know what happened." Mark nodded. "Well, the party ended about one, but Saylinda was passed out on the couch, so I decided not to move her till morning. We finally got out of there at about nine."
Flashback
Mark started the car, throwing it into reverse. "Okay, so I'm gonna take you home, and then you're going to sleep this off." Saylinda nodded sleepily. "Okay." They drove in silence for an hour or so, and then Saylinda jerked up suddenly, grabbing the wheel. "Mark, watch out!" Mark jerked at the wheel, trying to stay in the right lane. "Saylinda, what are you doing?" She yelled. "You're about to hit another car!" Mark looked out the windshield. "Saylinda, you're still suffering the effects of the drugs! There is no other car!" Saylinda nodded, jerking the wheel again. "There is!" Mark looked up again. "No, Saylinda, now there's another car!" The hood of the Range Rover loomed in front of him, the horn blaring. The last conscious thing Mark remembered before blacking out was Saylinda screaming, and then the silence.
End flashback
"That's it. Next thing I knew, I was in the hospital, and the doctor was telling me that Saylinda had died, and then Roger and Maureen were there, and…" His voice faded. "That's what happened. I was sober, she wasn't. She jerked us right in the path of the oncoming car. I tried, but I couldn't do anything. I feel horrible, but…" Roger squeezed his hand again. "You didn't do anything wrong, Mark." He glanced at the police. "If that's all, I'm taking Mark home now. He needs his rest." The police nodded. "Of course. Thank you, Mark."
Once they were out of the station, Roger turned to Mark. "You did a good thing in there. I wasn't sure how I would have asked you if they hadn't needed to know." He looked away. "I guess, in a way, you were right. I did kind of subconsciously blame you. I know that it's not your fault but…I guess I just didn't want to believe that Saylinda had been using drugs and alcohol. I didn't want to believe I was dating someone similar to my mother." Mark nodded. "I know. And I would have told you eventually, I just…wasn't ready yet." Roger nodded. "Yeah, I know. Look, you…okay, we should go get some sleep. The funeral is tomorrow."