The Drunk's Rush Hour

The Drunk’s Rush Hour

The car’s headlights blinded me, as it came across the yellow line straight towards me. That’s when time slowed; slowed so much it seemed to stop. I have seen it in movies, and heard people talk about it, but I never really believed it could happen.

I had no time to react, before the sound of grinding metal echoed though my ears, only to be replaced with a sickening crunching sound, as my face slammed into the airbag. The seat belt, cutting into my flesh as it held me back. Hands flying out, shattering to pieces, as they slammed the dashboard. Then came the overwhelming rush of pain that causes the brain to shut down.

A man’s voice repeating, “Ma’am, everything is going to be alright,” getting louder each time.

The pain intensified with each beat of my heart. My mind screaming, no. Wanting to go back to the peace and quiet it was leaving.


“Ma’am, can you hear me?” I fought my way past the pain turning my head towards the voice. Blinking my eyes trying to bring the shape into focus, through the flashing red and white lights.

“Ma’am can you hear me?” the face said. I tried to answer, but all that came out was a gurgling sound.

“No, don’t try to talk. If you understand blink your eyes. Do you understand?”

I blinked my eyes, but still tried to tell him at the same time. I wanted him to know who I was. I wanted to be home kissing my kids, as they lay asleep. I wanted my mom. I wanted her to tell me everything would be alright. My mom could make the pain go away.


No matter how hard I wished when I opened my eyes, it was still a stranger there telling me everything was going to be alright. I knew he was lying. I closed my eyes, and found the peace and pain-free place he pulled me from.

The voice again, I hated the sound of it. It wouldn’t go away. I opened my eyes, and waited for the rush of pain to hit. Oh god I’m dead, raced though my mind. I can’t be, not yet. I still have so much I have to do. My kids are too young, they still need me. They will always need me.

I begged God to let me live. You know that little prayer. “I promise if you do this, I’ll never do that again.” The promises no one keeps; and why should we? He’ll forgive us. I kept repeating it. I don’t think I ever begged so hard.

“Megan.” Oh, someone I know is here; they know my name. Opening my eyes I looked at the face that was so close to mine. Who is this? And how does he know my name? I wanted to scream at him to leave me alone. I tried to lift my hands to push him away. Oh God, why won’t my arms move? I looked down and to my shock all I could see was metal wrapped around my body.

I jerked my head up seeing the colorful lights racing across the lines of my shattered windshield. Wow, I never realized how beautiful the lights are, and how the red seemed to out-shine the white and blue.

Looking into the face again. Did I turn my head towards him? No, I don’t think so, I just want him gone. Ok, maybe if I listen to him, he’ll leave. I kept telling myself to pay attention, but I don’t understand. Why would he cut my car? Why jaws? Jaws, the shark, was going to cut my car. My mind screamed in terror, at the thoughts of a shark swimming around chomping its jaws into my car.

Closing my eyes, only to open them to a roaring sound that caused everything around me to shake. My mind screamed, “Earthquake!” I was going to be swallowed by the earth. I have seen pictures of cars falling into the earth, on the news. News flash-“Local woman died in today’s quake, when her vehicle plunged off a collapsed bridge.”

“Do you understand? Ma’am, do you understand?” Understand? What am I supposed to understand? Oh yes, I have to listen to the man then he will go away.

Holy cow! What is that? What kind of animal would rip the roof of my car off? I tried to shrink down further, as I watched the roof peel back inch by inch. I turned; tilting my head, I could see the same thing ripping the other car’s roof off too.

He hit me! I hope he dies! He hurt me! No, no, I’m sorry. I hope he will be ok. How’s that God? I hope he lives. Wait! Why are they getting him out first? It’s his fault. I should get out first. He hit me!

I know him. Hang on, how do I know him? The Bar. That face. Oh yeah! He came into the bar. I saw him stumble. Oh God! I saw him… I knew he didn’t need another drink, but I thought what’s one more? He was already drunk. Can one more drink really make a difference?

Where’s my mom? She’ll know what to do. Mom? Mom?

NO! What are you doing?

Don’t Cover My Face.

Wait!

I have to….

MOM!!!