Moment of Impact

         Driving down that lonely stretch of road on the way to his parent’s house, they tried keeping the kids occupied. That was no small task. Jacob was six and Anna was just four. Like all kids, they were very energetic so long car rides did not bode well for them. They got bored fast and, when that happened, the name-calling and fighting would begin. He laughed thinking about it while his wife, Lisa, was turned around in the passenger seat and telling the kids a silly joke.

         This anniversary dinner his mom had planned for them, although a sweet gesture, was not what he wanted to be doing right now. Last night he wanted to find a sitter for the kids and take Lisa to their favorite restaurant for a romantic dinner. In his opinion, that would have been the perfect way to celebrate their years together. Lisa wanted to go to the dinner celebration at his parents. She wanted the kids included and was thrilled when his mom told her about the plans for the party.

         The hour drive, each way, and the fact that it was being held on a Sunday, was less than appealing to him. He was going to have a hellish week coming up at work. Today should have been for relaxing at home with Lisa and the kids but his mom and dad had gone to a lot of trouble for this dinner party. His whole family was going to be there; his brothers and sisters with their families, as well as, his aunt and uncle and their two kids. It seemed like an awful lot of trouble to him but he knew his parents were proud of him. They loved Lisa like a daughter and they absolutely adored the kids.

         Ten years. Wow! Where had the time gone? It seemed surreal. He felt as though they had just met yesterday. They were both freshmen at USC. Their friends set them up on a blind date--probably the only successful blind date ever--and, the rest, as they say, is history. They finished college, got married right after graduation and, four years later, Jacob made his debut. Two years after that, Anna came along.

         He loved his family. They were incredible! Lisa was beautiful, inside and out. She was funny and smart and caring. He needed her more than he needed air. He would love her until his dying breath. His kids were adorable and well-behaved, for the most part. They were kids after all. Everyone always told them they were the “perfect family”. They had their ups and downs, just like most people, but the good times certainly outnumbered the bad times. They were happy. Life was good.

         His cell phone rang. He quickly glanced at the number and answered, “Hi Mom!” “Hello, son, will you be here soon?” He glanced at Lisa and she smiled. She was stunning. When she smiled, she took his breath away. Lost in each other’s gazes, neither of them saw the semi swerving out of control and headed straight for them.

         Lisa screamed. David slammed on the brakes. It was too late. At the moment of impact, the sound was deafening. The phone was thrown from his grasp. His mother was screaming over the line, “David! David, are you OK?! DAVID!!”

         He never answered.


Word Count: 555

Written for entry in "A Moment in Time ~ CLOSED" , Round 5. This is the first short story I've ever written.