Unfinished Fiction.
They say never go to bed angry; and that’s something i like believe also. So late one November evening; after an argument filled night with my wife Bridgette, i left the house and went for a walk to clear my head. The arguments were becoming more and more frequent, the further along in she went in her pregnancy. I was going to be a father and almost nothing could bring me down of that high; except Bridgette.
It always started small; most times over things which needn’t see confrontation. Money matters; the trash not being taken out on time; the air conditioner being set 2 degree’s lower than she liked it. From there it would escalate; she knew better than anyone else did; and knew exactly what buttons to push to get a rise out of me. I’m not without blame; as with most things (good and bad) it takes two to tango. Because the pregnancy has been rough on her; I try to give her some push room.
But tonight. Oh, tonight was a step to far. Try as i might to remember the spark which lit the fuse; it continues to elude me. I turned around to say something as my face was met with a sharp sting of a slap. I stood there; flabbergasted, biting my bottom lip. Fingers twitching as my hand balled up to a fist; was all i could to do to not slap back or worse. I turned away and hit the wall; i must have hit a support beam, because it felt like my hand had shattered. Bridgette ran into the room crying as I grabbed my coat and headed out of the door. I couldn’t be around her right now; No I could be. I just didn’t want to be..
I couldn’t tell you what went through my head that night. Lots of angry thoughts swam through my head; i just wanted to scream. Sure, we argue, who doesn’t; but it had never turned violent before. Ok; it may have been just a slap and i perhaps i was over thinking it all, but that’s something i swore i’d never be a part of. The anger gave way to being upset and thats when the tears started.
I was lost in my own little world as I pulled my shirt up to wipe my eyes. I stepped out to cross the road; tried to adjust me eyes but was blinded by the light of a car I hadn’t noticed. The horn and the screeching of the tires as the tired to grind to a halt; were defining. This is what it’s like to be hit by a car. The impact was quite sudden; the pressure and pain quite excruciating; and then a sense of freedom as you’re being propelled through the air.
That’s the moment that lasted forever. I wish I could say that my life flashed before my eyes; but it didn’t. All i could think was I’d never get to hold my baby. I’d never get to see her smile; or hear her laugh. There was a moment of clarity; where i knew everything would be ok. That was followed by a thud as my limp body landed in a position i never imagined myself being able to get into.
I couldn’t feel anything at that stage. I doubt that I was even conscious. There was nothing; no sound, no light; not even darkness, just nothing.