The Day My Life Changed

I have to choose my words carefully. My mother reads this.

I thought it couldn't get better. I had just documented in my blog that I was so content with my life because I had so much ahead of me and the possibilities were endless. I didn't know what the future would hold and that was exhilarating. After work I stopped by the store to get something for dinner.I wanted to make homemade salsa. I remember my feet hurting. My heels were high and I'd been on my feet all day. I needed to feed the dog.

My mom called. She asked me to come home, it was important. I told her there would be traffic, I would come later. She calmly mentioned an accident. I thought about abandoning my grocery cart but I had let myself pick out a pint of Ice Cream and I was not giving that up. I took my time strolling through the store. I had a song stuck in my head.

I unloaded the groceries into my apartment. I took two trips instead of one, so not to strain myself. I fed the dog, ate some ice cream, changed my shoes. It was rush hour. I was not looking forward to traffic. But I headed up anyways.

My sister called in a panic. She was worried. I didn't know why. Nothing had happened. Accident. This is Dad. These things happen anytime he goes anywhere. I told her to relax. She told me to hurry. My mom called. She told me not to worry, but to hurry. They were at the hospital, now. I said something sassy. Told her that all of Austin was heading north right now and she would have to be patient. As we said "goodbye", Her voice made a noise I'd never heard. A shiver, a crack. She usually speaks very purposefully, that was the only indication.

I turned up my music loud to drown my racing thoughts.

I arrived at the hospital. More indicators. I recognized a lot of cars. Neighbors, family, friends, my boss. People really know how to overeact. I walked into the hospital and was greeted by a pale-faced friend who grabbed me and walked me like I wouldn't be able to walk on my own. I felt hurt. I wanted to shake her off because I was fine. Everyone was overreacting.