Snippet #2350779

When Ruby's mom arrives, I keep my eyes on the engine, still looking for any damage I did not notice yet. Even so, I lift one hand in greeting. "Hello ma'am. And I did not do anything. I did not even notice the car until after it hit us." I reach into the engine and pull out a broken pipe, smashed and cracked. "Crap. That'll cost a penny." I waited until Ruby's mom left before looking up and standing. I had issues with parents. even other people's. "It won't cost too much to get fixed, and will probably run for a very short distance. just enough to get to a mechanic's shop. And you have no reason to be sorry. It was not your fault." I put one arm around her shoulder, and squeeze her a little. "Are you going to be O.K.?"