By Sandi
The car was totaled. I moved slowly. Sore, cramped, hesitant. The other driver was also emerging. Traffic had slowed and stopped. Sirens reverberated in the cold, crisp air.
I looked inside my SUV. The infant seat was cracked in the center. Had I brought the baby?
I plopped down in the snow, quickly becoming frozen in position. I was numb inside.
What happened? Think! Where is Brandon?
Police hurriedly assessed the situation. “Anyone else here?”
“Brandon?” I called out.
They scattered, eyes searching. One studied the infant seat. “No child is or was here,” he concluded.
Clarity.
He’s at home, safe.
Amazing story. I was there from the first four words. I felt it all. It’s believable that a father (for some reason, I assumed father) who perhaps brings his baby/toddler to daycare some but not all mornings would, in a state of shock, question which morning this was. You captured the confusion and horror with choice words!
Thank you Shoshauna!
Wow, I felt the emotion – the fear – in the pit of my stomach. Well told.
Thank you Anne!
That moment of confusion is really brought to life!
Thank you Genevieve!
I felt the panic and then the relief!
I felt the emotions from fear, dread, closeness of lossing everything to relieve. Great writing!
*Relief