4-10

Nobody has, he says, in a low, urgent voice. She looks at the two little boys and their sick mother and walks over to the car, remotely unlocking it. The boys and their mother step back, and fear shows on their faces.

The mother looks old, but probably isn't more than thirty-five. "'I'm sorry,' she says to Lucy. But they're smitten. They haven't touched it." How fast can it go?" the older boy asks. A redhead, maybe 12.

Let's see. 490 horsepower, 6-speed, a 4.3-liter V8, 8500 RPM and carbon fiber rear diffuser panel, 0 to 60 in less than 4 seconds, around 200 miles an hour. No way! He ever driven one of these things? Lucy says to the older brother.

I've never seen one in person. What about you? Lucy asks his redheaded brother, who is maybe eight or nine. No ma'am. Shiley. Lucy opens the driver's door and the two redheads crane to get a peek and suck in their breath at the same time.

What's your name? She asks the older boy. Fred? Sit in the driver's seat, Fred, and I'm going to show you how to start this thing." "'You don't have to do that,' Mom says to her, and she looks as if she's about to cry.

Honey, don't you hurt anything. I'm Johnny,' the other boy says. "'You're next,' Lucy says. Get over here next to me and pay attention." Lucy turns on the battery, makes sure the Ferrari's in neutral. She takes Fred's finger and places it on the steering wheel's red start button.

She lets go of his hand. Hold it in for a few seconds and fire her up. The Ferrari roars awake. Lucy gives each boy a ride around the parking lot while their mother stands all alone in the middle of it and smiles and waves and wipes her eyes.