Frantic in the Park (original)

Frantic in the Park
By MsCoe


Randy nearly missed slamming the car door closed behind him as he rushed from the Honda Civic. Randy ran down the wet grassy slope from the parking lot down toward the park and within a second landed on his rear. Randy was frantic enough to barely notice that either side of his buttocks was wet from his landing spot. Without missing a beat Randy was up and running again.

Where had she said that she saw her last, Randy asked himself. The slide was his answer.

Randy ran to the slide and around it as the children stopped in motion and stared at the strange man circling them as they stood in line for their turn to go down the blue and green slide in front of them.

Randy pulled out his cell phone as he circled the slide again and headed toward the back end of the slide where the castle stood. As he looked over his shoulder he noticed parents staring at him. One man even got up and doing his best to look forceful gave Randy a ruthless glare in his direction. Randy barely thought about it twice before the call was answered by his wife.

Missy picked up sounding panicked “do you have her” Missy cried out.

“No, I’m at the slide and I don’t see her any where” Randy snapped back.

“Don’t yell at me Randy, this is not my fault” Missy yelled back

Randy could hear the crying in the background and knew that this was not the time to get into an argument with Missy about who was at fault but couldn’t help himself “Really, then just whose fault would it be?” he asked.

“Randy please not now” Missy begged “Look over by the bench; we were sitting there as I packed up Rachel’s bag before we left. I have to go. Call me as soon as you know something.” Missy hung up before Randy could reply.

“Bench, there are a dozen benches around the playground” Randy said out loud. Running toward one his heart beat a little faster as he approached the pink bundle behind the bench. As he neared the bundle moved and a little red headed girl jumped up and yelled out “I’m safe” as she ran toward the big scarred oak tree in front of her.

Randy stopped in his tracks and took a deep breath. What was he doing he thought to himself. I’m supposed to be at my award banquet in less than two hours. This is not the way this evening was supposed to go. Randy had been looking forward to this evening for the past six months. He and his team at the advertising firm had done some solid work and won the company one of its biggest clients. The team earned this brief moment tonight to celebrate that hard work. Randy also wanted to go out and celebrate with Missy for all that she had put up with through those months. What has my life become Randy wondered.

Randy had a sudden vision of his daughter Rachel. Rachel’s smile and her giggles broght a grin to Randy’s face, a picture of her cries just about broke his heart. Randy had learned in the last two years, since Rachel’s birth, what unconditional love really was and what it wasn’t. It wasn’t simply being a provider. It wasn’t even making an effort to be home early enough to read a bed time story a couple times a week. It was putting another person first, no matter what else was going on. Randy loved his wife, Missy dearly and knew they had a good chance of making it where the odds seemed against them. Being parents for the first time was new and difficult for two successful high achievers like Randy and Missy but it had all been worth it. Randy wouldn’t trade being Missy’s husband or Rachel’s father for anything in the world.

Randy’s cell phone rang and he nearly jumped out of his skin. “Hello” Randy said anxiously.

“Randy, we’re ok. Rachel is ok” Missy was breathing deeply to calm herself.

“You found her?” Randy asked while silently making a wish.

“Yes, Miss Wishy Washy was behind the car seat” Missy said “I’m so sorry Randy. Hurry home so that you can get ready. I’m getting dressed as we speak. All is right with the world again. Rachel is in bed with her favorite doll and already off to dream land.”

“Great, that’s all that matters” Randy said sincerely as he let out a breath. “Give them both a kiss good night for me, no never mind. I want to kiss them and you myself. I Love you. Bye”