Saturday In the Park

A picnic turns to panic in a heartbeat

Liv held the boy close, barely keeping from sobbing.

"Baby, what were you thinking? You can't run off like that!"

He doesn't look any worse for the wear, she thought as she checked for injuries. They're right: it only takes a second of distraction.

@-----@-----@

The family had been picnicking in Central Park, their blanket spread under shady trees. Greg had been playing The Bird Game with Johann, pointing to a bird and trying to follow it with their eyes until it disappeared. Greg pointed to a bird with a bright red breast.

"Look, Johnny, it's ol' Redbird. Native Americans say Redbird's song contains the history of the world."

The parents looked at the bird quietly for a few moments, reflecting on the legend. But when they turned to ask Johann what he thought, the boy was gone. A six year old boy wandering Central Park, New York City—a recipe for tregedy.

Liv began to call for Johann. When there was no answer, she dialed 911. She wanted to run and look for him, but Greg was already searching, with the help of a few volunteers. Liv had the hard job: wait there in case little Johann came back.

After two hours, Liv was nearly unhinged with worry and fear.

She scanned the treeline for the hundredth time and almost collapsed with relief as she saw Johann walking happily back to her holding the remnants of someone's kite.

"Mommy, somebody wost their fwag!" He was grinning.

@-----@-----@

After checking him for sprains, cuts, and bruises, she looked around at the strangers who had helped, thanking them all from the bottom of her heart. She looked down at Johann, prompting him with her eyes to echo thanks himself. Instead he looked up at Greg, smiling.

"Daddy, can we do this again tomorrow?!"

(Word Count: 300)