Waiting Room PT I
Everybody's eyes were glued to the television. The News Channel was reporting a live car crash on interstate 90 that involved a five car pile up with a 18-wheeler cargo truck laying hortinzally across five lanes of traffic. It was the biggest traffic jam in Detroit history.
“That’s so sad,” Momma said, “I bet you it was one of them young folk texting and driving. This is so sad.”
“That is sad, it took me almost two hours fighting through two miles of traffic,” Step-dad said in an upset voice, “I went the back way too. I thought I was the only one who knew that way.”
“Well it seems like someone has been following you honey,” mom said jokingly.
“Shhhh!” Jackson said, motioning with his hands, “I'm trying to hear what happened.”
Everyone stared at the TV as the Channel 7 news came back from commercial. The reporter was live on the scene.
“Jonathan”, he began, “what appears to have happened was this blue Civic”, he pointed at the crushed car, “missed its exit and abruptly swerved trying to exit off of the highway. In doing so, the driver, an unidentified man, crossed over 3 lanes of traffic and overshot the exit. His momentum caused him to crash into the traffic barrier. Firefighters on the scene testified that, ‘He died on impact.’ His car then ricocheted off of the wall and slid back into traffic where it hit a 18 wheeler. This caused the 18 wheeler to overturn on the highway, as you see here,” he pointed to the overturned truck. The 18 wheeler caused 2 other cars to crash. The first car, a Honda Accord drove into the truck at almost 70 miles an hour. The driver of that car didn’t have a seatbelt on and was propelled from the car upon impact. She died on the scene—”
“Jesus!” Momma yelled, interrupting the news. She sat silently shaking her head.
“The second car, a Nissan Altima, swerved to miss the wreck and flipped over the center barrier and landed on the other side of the highway. So far Anthony, there are 2 reported deaths. The driver of the 18 wheeler and the driver of the Nissan Altima have been airlifted to the Central hospital in critical condition. This is a sad day Jonathan, one that has been seared into our memory. May God be with their families.”
The news cut back to the news anchor, he asked, “Are there any witnesses on the scene, Ben?”
It cut back to Ben. “Why, yes, there is one, who has been out here since I arrived. I’ll ask him what happened,” he replied.
“Sir, you told police that you were following about 30 feet behind everything? Can you explain what happened?” Ben asked.
The witness was a Jamaican cab driver, and he had a heavy accent. He had long dreads that knotted together at the bottom to form one big dread.
“Yuh si man, mi see everyting,” he said. Step-dad cut the tv off.
“That’s enough news for one day, that drama would make a man at Heaven’s gate depressed. That was so sad, and life is short,” he said, “I’m going to put some burgers on the grill. We gotta enjoy life while we can.”
Step-dad left and started the fire for the grill. Mom and Jackson sat motionless. They both were paralyzed by the same thought— Michael drives a Nissan Altima. They both sat, staring at the black television screen. They were in a daze, scared that their words would make their nightmare a reality. Step-dad came back into the room.
“I'm going to put some chicken, shrimp, and vegetable kabobs on the grill, how many y’all want? Also, Jackson call Michael and see how long he will be.” He noticed their blank stares.
“Honey,” he said with caution, “what’s wrong?” There was a long pause.
Jackson yelled, “Michael drives a Nissan Maxima!”
“You see, that news always incites fear within people. Look y’all, that could be any Nissan, just give him a call. You know what, I’ll call him. Y’all always worrying and stuff.”
He looked at Jackson, and then looked at his wife, their fear constricted their faces and they sat as if they were constipated. For a moment their pessimism became his reality.
He reassuringly repeated himself, “Yeah I’ll call him. No need to worry.”
He pulled out his phone, “Siri, call Michael,” he said with his voice cracking.
He placed it on speaker and it rang. With each ring, the possibility that it was Michael grew in all of their minds. The phone continued to ring. Step-dad looked up and saw Jackson and his wife were staring at him. Everyone was hoping Michael would pick up. The voicemail answered, Mom realized she wasn’t breathing and gasped.
“Honey, are you alright?” He asked.
Mom’s eyes began to water, Jackson placed his arm around her shoulder hoping to console her.
“Mom, don’t trip, he's probably by Julia, you know he's always over there, look I’ll call her to see.”
Jackson, pulled out his phone. Step-dad and mom both stared at him now as he called Julia. He placed the call on speaker. The phone rang twice and she answered.
Julia answered in a frantic tone, “Jackson!”, she screamed, “Michael is in the hospital! I’m on my way there to see him.”
“What happened?” Jackson calmly asked.
“He was in an accident, he is being rushed into surgery at Central hospital. I’m scared, Jackson.” she said.
“Ok, I’ll meet you there. I’ll call you when I get there.” Jackson hung up. The tears were flowing down mom’s eyes like the first shower of the Spring season.
“I’m going to turn the grill off. Y’all get ready, we may have to fight traffic.” he said in a relaxed voice.
Mom was frozen, she could only cry.
“Mom we have to get in the car, c’mon mom”, Jackson pleaded.
Everyone got in the car and the tires screeched as they pulled out of the driveway. Pessimistic thoughts echoed in all of their heads. Step-dad thought about the best way to console his family. Jackson tried his best to fight back tears and avoid the prideful question of asking God, “Why?” Mom, she sank in self-denial and self-pity, and blamed herself for Michael’s car accident. Step-dad was forced to sit in traffic, but now it was moving molasses like and every only thought about their thoughts.
“Feel the brevity of life and you will fully live.”
