Choices

Winner -- 12/7/05 "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge"  12/7/05

         Albert wished he could change things, but there was nothing he could do.

         It all started at the party. He told his friend Dave, “Don’t worry, it’s late. There won’t be much traffic.” Then he snatched his keys and got into his car to drive home. He had a few drinks that night but was sure he could drive home.

         He hadn’t counted on the sudden rainstorm. Every time a car passed going the other way; between the splash and the headlight glare, he couldn’t see the road. A semi splashed a tidal wave over the windshield. He swerved a little to the right.

         A dull thud made the car shudder. Albert pulled off the road and got out of the car and looked back. He saw a dark shape on the roadside. Moving closer, he saw that it was a man. Holding his breath Albert bent down to check for a pulse. “Thank you, God,” he whispered as he took out his cell phone and called 911.

         Once he knew help was on the way he covered the man with a blanket from his car’s trunk. Then instead of waiting for the police, he got into his car and drove away.

         Now he sat in his car trying to find the courage to do what he should do. So far the choices he made just got him into trouble. He should have listened to Dave and not tried to drive home. He should have waited at the scene. He couldn’t change anything; there was only one thing to be done.

         He got out of the car and looked at the window sign, “New Milford Police Department.”

         He took a deep breath, then went through the door and walked up to the desk.


295 words