Thank you...
And now for that flashback you've been waiting for...
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Her daughter’s face held in her mind, as she grasped the rose tighter into hand, then grabbed her umbrella on the floor of the passenger’s side. As she did, a gold necklace with two hearts on it made itself known to the eye.
The smaller heart held to the right side of the bigger one; that held as a foundation. Beautiful golden wings were attached to the larger heart, while two children, one framed in between the two hearts reached out her hand to the one sat happily on the larger heart.
Catherine sat up against the seat, and instantly recognized the presence of the gold necklace—the details of the necklace filled her mind, as she bundled up her coat tightly and opened her door once more. The wind stirring in the air, hit mildly against the side of her face, as she set her foot against the wet black asphalt of the parking lot.
Without warning, every detail of a very haunting December night filled her mind. And for the last four years and three months, in some way she had always felt she was trapped in that day, over and over again—three days before Christmas, injured quite badly, as was her family, who laid upside down in an overturned car.
Her body shuttered beneath her coat and gloves, as she closed the door to her black Denali. Her fingers ached within as her mind flashed back to the damaged car—shattered windshield, and inflated airbags in the front—as well as different scattered items, one in particular that caught her eye was a drawing that her two daughters had drawn somewhere along the way. The girl’s fun filled ways to keep themselves busy during the trip to her mother’s house, had give much laughter—but had been short lived, as the collision from moments ago subsided slightly to a now very quiet car.
Silence—was all she heard, when her heart ached to determine any noise, anything that might calm the wild beating that pulsated against her chest. But as he head cautiously turned towards the driver’s seat where her husband Eddie unconscious body hung limply, despite his prolonged hold to the steering wheel, she had to choke down the fear that was starting to overwhelm her noticeably wounded body.
“Eddie” Her voice came out weak and scared, as she did not know where to balance the fear that lay inside of her as reached out her left arm—that was trembling by the impact, but was still being stretched out as far as it could. And when she had reached as far as her limb would allow, that’s when she realized she was still confined by the safety of her seatbelt.
But it didn’t take her long to feel the searing pain throughout her body as she carefully unlocked herself from the hold, and freed her tired body. Then dragged herself between the two seat, as she levered herself to stand up, and posed in a half lean so she could check her husband’s pulse, that was slow, but to her relief, he was still there.
The only thing she feared now, as she walked every step with discomfort to the back of the car. Her ears keenly picking up voices from above, as she searched through the darkness, her hands finally reached her youngest daughter first.
Her hand ran blindly over her cheek, which was still somewhat warm to the touch. It even took a moment but her daughter’s green blue eyes stirred from their slumber—and the loving touch of her mother, the little girl was receptive and pressed her cheek harder against her hand, which told Catherine that she was also holding on. “Me—” The little girl mumbled quietly, and pointed weakly to herself.
“Yes, baby. You.” Catherine brushed back a piece of her two-year old daughter’s hair. “You’re going to be alright” She reassured her, as she carefully unhooked her with a struggle and pulled her out of her seat, being cautious of her neck and small body. “I need you to do something for me though” Her daughter’s eyes lit up, as she lowered her to the hood of the car. She blinked, without a word. Catherine couldn’t help letting a small smile fall upon her lips, despite the panic she was trying to hide. Even though Lindsey was nowhere in sight, her husband was still unconscious and hanging upside down, and she heard sirens somewhere in the distance, which gave her hope that somebody was coming, somebody was going to help them—and they were going to be okay
She turned back to her daughter, who was still looking at her with the same expression that she saw often, the look that asked ‘What is it mommy?” Catherine gave what she knew was not a smile but something she could muster, without giving her worry away—as her heart jumped hearing people yelling in the distance. And it took all her focus just to face her daughter’s innocent expression, and to continue. “I need you to lay here, but you can’t move” The last part was suppose to seem serious, and it was—but instead her tone seemed to come out like they were just playing a game. Heavens—if only they were.
Because never had she prepared herself for something this extreme, and as a mother, with two young daughter’s she couldn’t shake the undermining feeling as she stood up, and made her way to the very back of their white Explorer. Something was not right, and between trying to hold on to the voices that were slowly getting nearer, and pushing her pain aside, she called her daughter’s name. “Lindsey” She choked, her eyes searching for any movement, any direction of voice. “If you can hear me--” She stopped and listened, but only heard footsteps, she was sure were very close now.
Wait. Patience. Listen. “Katie stay with me baby” She heard the slight movement behind her, and the tension released slightly. “Why don’t you sing you’re favorite song for me” Listen. Please.
“Mommy” It took a moment before her words registered to Catherine’s ears, but she had definitely heard her—and both let out a sob of joy, as well as Katie who had started singing ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ the song they all sang together, every night.
“Lindsey” Her name came out in a soft whisper, in a way you could feel her small smile that lit up the darkness as she leaned heavily against the seat, and lowered herself carefully to the side of her daughter’s feet. Her hand strived to keep her daughter from moving as she felt her small body contract. “Baby, I need you to stay still”
“Mommy” Lindsey’s voice was worn, but eager. “No, I got out” Catherine arched a brow in confusion. The pain in her own body was starting to weigh down on her, as it made itself better known for the strenuous actions she had take for her family, this night. So maybe it was only her that was not understanding what her daughter was trying to tell her. “Unbuckled--” One word finished her daughter’s explanation, and then everything clicked.
She was trying to tell her mother that she had gotten out on her own, by unbuckling herself. Catherine opened her mouth to say something but only got half way before another voice interrupted them, followed by a frantic knock at the window.
Catherine turned around as quickly as she could, her eyes focusing on the frosty glass before her, as she made out a figure with shaggy light brown hair, and green eyes. “Is everybody alright?” Came a muffled concern, from a complete stranger.
“Please, my husband is still in the driver’s seat” Her hand shakily went to the side of her forehead as she shook off the pending dizziness. The concern grew in the man’s face, as she stole a quick glance before he disappeared out of sight, and the reappeared after scratchily opening up the passenger side door.
As a roll of thunder rumbled through the darkened atmosphere, she shook her head from the thoughts that brought her back to the present—and Catherine found herself placing the small rose in a small capsule in the grave. Her thoughts lingering on this as she closed the lid back up, 'I lost him now, when I could have lost him then'