Marie didn't know there was a police chase going on. It was all over TV and radio, but she had been listening to a CD while she ran errands and at home, she hadn't had a chance to turn on the TV before she left.
Coming from behind, a car fleeing the police turned the corner sharp and fast. Marie could not get over to get out of the way in time. The fleeing car, instead of trying to avoid Marie's car, rammed it and she lost control and was pushed into the middle of an intersection while the red light was up. A much bigger truck with a green light could not stop in time. The truck slammed into her side of the car. She was ejected out of the car. Laying there, non responsive 911 was called and her family was notified- Marie was comatose and on life support - it didn't look well.
Earlier that day
Marie thought it's going to be one of THOSE days. Forgetting to set the alarm, she tapped her husband Michael and told him it was time to get up for work. She went to the kitchen while he got ready. This is how her busy day started. With a husband and two kids, there was always something to do.
Marie got the coffee going and cooked breakfast for Michael. He sat down at the table. Everything waited for him; coffee, breakfast and newspaper. No good morning or thank you, and this bugged her immensely - a little appreciation would have been a nice gesture. She kept this thought to herself. They had already been through this argument. He told her he didn't think he should have to show appreciation, that it was her job to take care of them and he shouldn't have to say thank you for what she should be doing in the first place. He also expressed that he did not feel that what she was expected to do as a stay at home wife with two kids was not really work compared to his job, which was much more difficult. She thought to herself drop it, or he's going to be in a bad mood. She let it go and went on with her to do list.
He told her he needed her to run a few errands like dry cleaner, storage unit and store. by the way, about 5 -6 of his friends were coming over tonight so please make sure the house is clean and throw some appetizers together. The tone of his voice seemed to be barking out orders more than asking. But she still kept it to herself. He left for work.
This all happened before 7am and was only the start of her day. Now it was time to wake up the kids, Mikey was 14 and Meloney was 17. She went in at 7:00am, again at 7:15 and a third time at 7:30 - finally they both woke up, showered and got dressed. With the kids it was make sure they dressed properly, ate breakfast and got there school stuff together - had lunch or lunch money and got to the bus stop on time.
Meloney, came out wearing a shirt her mom hadn't seen before. Marie simply said, "Inappropriate, go change -you are NOT wearing that to school."
Meloney got mad and stomped up the stairs and yelled, "I hate you, your soooooo stupid. Everyone is wearing this style"
Marie yelled back "Not everyone, not you...and take some of that make up off while your at it."
Marie shook her head, my God 17 was a tough age. If her daughter kept it up, she might well not make 18 because Marie was ready to drop her off in the middle of the desert and leave her there. If someone found her, she'd pretend not to know her.
Mental Note to Self: Call mom and apologize for being so difficult at that age.
Her son Mikey came down as Meloney went up. He sat down at the table and said "What's her problem?"
"Apparently me" said Marie and took a plate over to him.
"Yeah.I can see how that could happpen" as he sat down and ate. Then he grabbed his stuff to hurry out the door, but it was to early to leave yet.
Marie asked Mikey, "What's your hurry?"
"No reason, just want to get over to the bus stop, meeting my friends there."
'Mikey, give me the cigarettes" she said. She knew he was smoking with his friends. She wasn't stupid, she smelled it on his clothes when she did laundry or moved his backpack off the table. Also, in a neighborhood where everyone knew everyone and everyone's kids, word of a couple of kids smoking got
around.
"I don't have any! Check the pockets in my jacket!!" he yelled.
"Give me the backpack" She knew he kept them in their because he had offered up his jacket. He sighed unzipped the backpack and handed her the pack of cigarettes. He started to walk out.
"No." I'm driving you to the bus stop and we will wait together IN THE CAR until the bus shows up." This was his worst nightmare. She knew it and that is why she did it.
"You my boy, are officially on restriction. I will be waiting with you in the morning until the bus arrives and be there waiting when you get out of school and the bus drops you off every day until I feel I can trust you." He started to protest and she said above him "AND consider yourself lucky that I don't make you stand on a corner with one of those homemade signs confessing your a smoker for 8 hours, because if I find out again or suspect you are smoking, that is my next punishment."
He sat down on the couch and yelled "Meloney is right, you are stupid."
Marie shook her head, and thought to herself, yep, it's one of THOSE days. She had managed to make both her kids mad and her husband didn't know, or care it seemed like, how or what she dealt with on a daily basis. She got in the car with Mikey -Meloney opted to ride the bus because she was still pouting and mad at her mom. Marie sat at the bus stop with Mikey until he got picked up. She started her errands. She got the first stop done, dropping off Michael's clothes at the dry cleaner. She pulled out onto the street and got hit from behind by a car fleeing from the police. She got pushed into the intersection by a truck.
Her family, Michael, Meloney and Mikey all showed up at the hospital, still in disbelief over what had happened. They walked into the room and stood around the bed. Marie did not respond to them being there. She had been ejected from the car when it had gotten hit, so she was bruised and scratched up from the road. She suffered broken bones, head trauma and her lungs were full of fluid. Meloney started to cry and hyperventilate so her dad sat her down in a chair. Mikey walked out to the hallway, putting both his hands over his face so no one would see him cry. The doctor walked in and told them that Marie was not going to make it. It was time to say good bye. They each separately took time to say their individual good bye. Then they all gathered around the bed as they shut the life support machine down. Marie passed away immediately.
Marie was not sure where she was. She did not know if she was alive or dead. Her last memory was of
the truck coming towards her. Then she found herself in this blank space. Everything was white and there was nothing else - no wall, no floor, no end - there was nothing except quiet. She looked around, not knowing what to do, but felt good doing nothing. She suddenly noticed in front of her that she could see herself laying in the hospital with all kinds of needles and wires attached to her. It was her, but she thought to herself, 'How can that be, when i'm here? How can I be over here watching myself?' She watched and listened as her family said good bye to her. Michael apologized for being so self absorbed, he knew that he had been taking her for granted and all she did for him daily. Meloney and Mikey apologized for calling her stupid and they were sorry they had given her a hard time in general. Meloney promised to throw away the shirt she didn't like and Mikey promised to never smoke again.
It was their words to her when they were saying good bye that they finally appreciated what they had and what they had lost, now that it was gone. Marie closed her eyes, and knew that deep down inside, her family had always known and appreciated everything she had done. Marie was not watching herself anymore, and had no memory. She was just surrounded by white nothingness, become a part of it and was gone.