“So, my name’s Zane. Thanks for giving me a lift.” I say, trying to speak over the car’s blaring 80’s music.

Without hesitation, Janice holds her tablet up from the front seat. What kind of name is Zane?

“What kind of name is Janice?” I shoot back.

Surprise, surprise, the tablet appears again. It was my grandma’s name. Very classy. It means God is Gracious.

I smile. “Oh, sorry. I think they might have misnamed you. You strike me as more of a ‘fiery ball of judgement’ kind of gal.”

The officer burst out in laughter from the driver’s seat as Janice looks back with a scowl.

“Hey, he’s pretty sharp! Better watch out, you may have met your match in wit Janice.” The man chuckles.

Her lips curve up with a look of determination that could only convey a bold declaration of battle. Then she disappears before holding up the tablet again.

A girl has to be tough these days. If not, who would come and rescue all of the men getting picked on by teenagers?

I blush with a little embarrassment. Okay, she’s got me there.

“Well, I guess I could have beat them all up. You know, shown off my big muscles and superior fighting skills. But I figured it would be better if I kept my awesome talents hidden. You know, don’t want to overexcite all the ladies.”

I glance up the rear-view mirror just in time to see Janice rolling her eyes with annoyance. I can’t seem to hold back my amusement. I’m also not to surprised to see her tablet appear once more.

Where are you headed again?

I smile. What, no snarky comeback?

“To the local liquor store. The one between Fifth Avenue and Bleach Street.”

The cop nods. “I know that place. We’ll be there in a jiffy.”

Why are you going to the liquor store? Janice asks.

At this, I feel a pit form in the hollow of my stomach. Shame and self-pity wash over me anew.

“I’m going there to buy some beer, like I do every day.” I reply.

I see her frown in the front mirror. Beer is bad for your health. Her tablet reads.

The officer laughs. “Agree to disagree Janice. Right kid?”

I force out a shallow grin. “Yeah, sure.”

Janice’s hand suddenly appears to gently smack the cop’s head. He waves her off.

“Come on, I’m driving! And you can’t just go around bossing everyone around you know.”

The officer then nods at me in the mirror. “Especially strangers who have their own lives.”

I’m not in the least bit shocked to see a certain someone’s tablet appear. I’m not bossing anyone around. I’m offering some wise advice. And at no charge!

I find myself shaking my head. Goodness, doesn’t she ever get tired of being so feisty?

“Tell you what Janice, write a book, then more people will start taking your unsolicited advice.”

Janice sighs with annoyance, but then her expression quickly changes to something unique. I see her smile lift up to her cheeks as she reaches forward to the radio. Suddenly, the whole car is booming with loud music. I put one hand over my left ear to protect it from the nearby stereo.

“Does the phrase ‘cop car’ mean nothing to you?” The officer yells.

I see Janice in the front seat, completely unfazed by the high volume or reprimand. She’s already bobbing up and down to the music, her lips singing along to the lyric silently. I try to focus on the song for a moment, wondering just what’s so great about it. It sounds like some sort of love ballad, with a tender yet desperate feeling being conveyed. I admit, I’m surprised by how moving it is, and how deep the words feel. I swear I’ve heard this song plenty of times before, but until today I never stopped to appreciate it.

I look at the woman in the front seat again. From here, she looked totally normal. No one would ever be able to guess that she couldn’t speak. Janice was someone determined to hold her head up, even when the world demanded she look down. She was brave, more so than most.

In that moment, I feel jealousy form. How could someone like her be this way? How could she have this kind of strength when her own body had betrayed her? I…I just don’t get it!

“Okay, we’re here!”