The snow comes down in sheets, the road barely visible through the white veil. Jared sits in traffic for the fourth consecutive hour. This is crazy! Becca sent me for formula and diapers and I’m not even to the store yet. Christmas lights glimmered on each side of the road. He had almost forgotten that Christmas was only five days away. With everything on his plate lately, he’d lost focus on the holiday season. Some things are more important.
A loud honk brings him back to reality. The traffic finally began to inch forward, only to be halted again by the red flash. Jared would never make it to store at this rate. He picks up his phone to call Becca, only to find no signal exists in the area. This just keeps getting better. The inward groan resonated throughout his body.
Becca Ryan was pacing around her cramped living room, her blonde hair swinging with every step. The faded green couch in the corner beckoned her, but she refused its temptation. I can’t believe I let Jared leave during this storm! What was I thinking?! I stabbing pain her gut ended her reverie. She glanced down, scared of what she might see.
Sure enough, the red was slowing staining her jeans, and the stabs continued for several minutes. No, God, no! Not this! Not now!
Becca ran (as best she could) toward the kitchen, where the cordless phone lay on the worn, wooden table. As someone said, “911, What’s your emergency,” another wave of pain washed over her. “Hello? Hello? Is someone there??”
“Yes! Yes! Please, I need an ambulance! I think I’m having a miscarriage! Please get someone here as soon as possible! You have to save my baby!” She was screaming and crying into the phone.
“Ma’am, please try to remain calm. We are sending someone to your location now. Please relax and they will be there soon.”
“Thank you, I’m sorry, thank you!” She was hysterical now. As she hung up the phone and tried to breathe evenly, deeply. Where are they?! Where are they?! My baby is dying! Come on!
Jared finally pulled into the Walgreen’s parking lot. He was running full speed from the car, just trying to get home as soon as possible. He almost slipped on the wet floor as he flung his selections onto the checkout counter.
The gray-haired woman behind the counter with the “hi, I’m Ilene” name tag was taken aback. “Are you all right, sir?” she asked worriedly, her eyes darting back and forth in fear.
“Please just hurry. I’m trying to get home to my wife!” He frustration mounted as she fumbled with the handles of the clear plastic bag.
Back in the car, the engine revved and he peeled out of the lot. As Jared got back on the road, he hit every red light. Why can’t I catch a break?! Come on!
He forced the gas paddle to the floor, totally unaware of the black ice coming up ahead. Before he could comprehend what was happening, the toyota camry was spinning out of control and heading straight for the guard rail. His world faded to black. The last sound he heard was sirens in the distance.
Becca was still waiting for the ambulance to come and the pain was getting worse with every passing minute. She began to feel dizzy, as the effect of the blood loss took its toll. Becca’s body collapsed to the floor, the life leaving her eyes.
The paramedics busted open the apartment door and saw her lifeless body lying in a pool of blood. The phone began to ring.