Heaven, The Peaceful Resting Ground

Sad song plays softly on the radio,
her hands cold as ice,
holds tight to the wheel.

Tears stream silently down her face,
a stray sob sounds louder than necessary,
she jumps a little at the sound.

The narrow, windy road
slithers beneath the wheels of her car.
Trees make strange shadows,
that frighten her and she pushes her car faster.

A child steps out into the road.
SSSCCCRREEEAAACCCHHH!
The car buckles to a stop.
She gasps for air.
Shocked.
Upset.
Confused.

Stepping out of the car,
her hair tangling in the door.
Wiping stray tears from her face.
Hello?
No response. The wind picks up.

Suddenly she falls down in tears,
Sobbing so hard.
Breath hitching and shaking all over.
He knows, she tried to save him.

It was dark and she was watching him.
His parents needed a break from the chaos.
She came because she loved kids.
He adored her. Put flowers in her blonde hair.
Screamed with delight on the swings at the park.
She sat down for a moment,
taking a breather from the game of tag.
She looked up at the sound of silence.
Then the huge crash.

He was nowhere around. She ran with fear.
She called for him, over and over and over.
No answer, just silence.
Walking over to the crash, a man with a pale face.
Looked to be in tears.
"I'm sorry.."

Down was the little, brown haired boy.
Blood streaming from his crown.
Soaking his shirt and pants.
She dialed 911 and got help.
She took her shirt off and applied pressure.
Stroking his hair, spreading the blod.
Whispering it will be all right.

The man left.
She cradled the boy in her arms.
Tears coming to her eyes.
The sirens announced the arrival of paramedics.
They scooped up the boy and strapped him to a board.
She cried as the ambulance raced away.

She went to her car and got in shaking.
Parents were called and notified of events.
She went home shocked,
scared,
upset,
distraught, and
the list goes on and on.

Counselors were called in,
students comforted her.
She cried her way through classes.
Barely passed and walked for graduation.

She just needed to drive.
Her parents car was home.
The engine fired to life and she drove.
Just wanted to forget, wanted him back.

She knew it was her fault for him passing.
She cried for him, knew it was accident.
Kept seeing his bloody face in her dreams.
He looked lost.

A cop pulled over,
asked if she was all right.
She cried harder. He pulled his coat off,
wrapped it around her. Pulled her close.
She sobbed and rocked.

He stroked her hair until it stopped.
Helped her up, looked her in the eye.
"Janie, it's not your fault."
She stood up, looking helpless.
He drove her home,
grabbed a buddy and got the car home.

Took the night off and held her.
Gave her a tranquilizer to calm her nerves.
Watched and stayed with her.
His beeper when off,
they ignored it.
She woke up refreshed, still upset.
He kissed her hair. She laid on his chest.

He called into work. They took the day.
Went to the beach, to walk and relax.
She calmed down.
He watched her skip stones.
Dropped her off.
Hugged her tight. Told her to hang on.

Nights later his beeper went off.
He jumped up and saw the plate.
Took off with his uniform a mess.
Saw the crash and knew she was gone.

Watched the paramedics zip her up,
tight, hair in the zipper.
He cursed and stopped them to fix it.

He carried her casket at the funeral.
Wished her a better time with the boy.
Brought her flowers every day,
on her day she left.

Went home to his cat.
"Janie get me a beer."
Meow. She sat in his lap and purred.
He cuddled her and slept soundly in the chair.

A dream woke him.
She said she loved him.
He got up to shower and continue his life.
Helping kids stay safe out of the road.