crash
I had a sales meeting in Sioux Falls today. Keira stayed at Tina's house. I was getting sleepy so decided to pull into a gas station parking lot and nap for a few minutes. I pulled in and was deciding where to park when something made me look up and to my right --
-- a semi was coming.
I had a brief moment of realization - "this is going to happen" - and then impact.
I rolled twice. I wondered briefly why I hadn't landed yet...watched the windshield crumple into a million pieces. Glass flew everywhere - the van gave up its shape - all slow motion. Seconds rippled indecisively then rushed forward as I sat, stunned, as a woman ran up to me.
She opened the door, commanded me to unbuckle so she could help me out. Gas was pouring onto the ground. I stared numbly at her, fumbling with my seatbelt. I had to find my phone. It was on the ground a few feet away. She found my bag and even went back to move a shoe from the ground to the van. I found them for Gretchen today. Leopard-print skimmers. I stared at my makeup scattered on the pavement then realized a small crowd had gathered and was urging me to get away from the van; a man with a white truck eased me onto the front seat and I sat there shivering, answering questions.
There was an EMT whose blue eyes I clung to and an almost-EMT who warmed my hands. Another told me about the time she was in an accident after I started leaking tears because we can't afford another van or an ambulance ride. I remember names. Cat, Heather, Kim, Lisa, Tony
Despite being my high-strung self I was very, very calm. I admit I'm a little proud that I gave them all pertinent information and didn't turn into a blubbering mess. And, being me, I made a few Linnariffic comments and made them laugh. Which felt good.
I'm home. I'm fine. Glass cuts all over my body; left palm/wrist a bit shredded; right hip bearing a nice contusion. Who knows what delights will surface tomorrow.
-- a semi was coming.
I had a brief moment of realization - "this is going to happen" - and then impact.
I rolled twice. I wondered briefly why I hadn't landed yet...watched the windshield crumple into a million pieces. Glass flew everywhere - the van gave up its shape - all slow motion. Seconds rippled indecisively then rushed forward as I sat, stunned, as a woman ran up to me.
She opened the door, commanded me to unbuckle so she could help me out. Gas was pouring onto the ground. I stared numbly at her, fumbling with my seatbelt. I had to find my phone. It was on the ground a few feet away. She found my bag and even went back to move a shoe from the ground to the van. I found them for Gretchen today. Leopard-print skimmers. I stared at my makeup scattered on the pavement then realized a small crowd had gathered and was urging me to get away from the van; a man with a white truck eased me onto the front seat and I sat there shivering, answering questions.
There was an EMT whose blue eyes I clung to and an almost-EMT who warmed my hands. Another told me about the time she was in an accident after I started leaking tears because we can't afford another van or an ambulance ride. I remember names. Cat, Heather, Kim, Lisa, Tony
Despite being my high-strung self I was very, very calm. I admit I'm a little proud that I gave them all pertinent information and didn't turn into a blubbering mess. And, being me, I made a few Linnariffic comments and made them laugh. Which felt good.
I'm home. I'm fine. Glass cuts all over my body; left palm/wrist a bit shredded; right hip bearing a nice contusion. Who knows what delights will surface tomorrow.