Mom and Dad were best friends. They were always together and everyone commented on how they were the perfect couple. Both of them caring and thoughtful. Both appreciative of the love the other gave in return. Late at night, as I lay quietly in my bedroom, I could hear them in their bedrooms laughing. Now that I am older and wiser, I realize they were probably making love. In my more innocent days I thought they were playing a game or watching a funny movie. It was calming and gave me a safe feeling.
Soon, that safe feeling would be gone forever. I can remember it as though it were yesterday. I wish I could erase that portion of my memory. I picked Mom up from work at the usual time of 5:15 pm. We did our usual "How was your day" kind of chatter. Mom was always upbeat. Even after a long day at work I would get a "happy to see you" smile from her along with a kiss on the cheek. The sad part is that those actions had become so routine I can't actually remember going through those motions that particular day, I only know we did because we always did.
I was driving down 5th Street, following the flow of traffic, when I glanced toward mom as she spoke. That's when I saw it. It was a black SUV that had just run a red light. The look of horror in the other driver's eyes will haunt me the rest of my life. Mom never saw it coming because she was looking at me. The last words she spoke were "Kathy? What's ...." She must have seen the look of disbelief on my face. There was a loud explosion as the cars collided. Glass flew everywhere. My head hit something and knocked me out temporarily. When I came to I was facing Mom. There was little doubt that she was dead. Except for my hand being pinned under me, I would have tried to stop the bleeding. My final memory of that life changing event was crying "Mommy....."
When I awoke I was lying in a hospital bed. Dad was standing above me, the color washed from his face, tears in his eyes. "Kathy, can you hear me?" I nodded in response. He leaned down and kissed my forehead wetting it with his tears. He began to cry. I never had to ask the question, his tears said it all. All I could say was "I'm sorry Daddy." I was still in shock. The fact that my heart had been crushed into a million pieces must have prevented me from shedding tears at that moment. What broke this surreal moment in my life was a nurse who came into the room.
"Ms Walker, the doctor has determined, after reviewing your x-rays, that you are alright to go home. You will have to wear this robe home since we had to throw your clothes away." she said in a very low voice. She didn't have to say it, but I knew they must have been covered in my Mother's blood.
"Mr. Walker please come with me so we can fill out some paperwork and I will give you instructions on what to watch for in caring for Kathy over the next few days."
We drove home in silence. Really there was nothing to say. Emotionally we were in our own little worlds trying to absorb, make sense of what had happened. After pulling into the garage Dad opened my door to help me out of the car. I was able to walk, but moved very slow. I'm sure I was still in a daze. I walked into my bedroom and watched Dad continue into his. I closed my door, disrobed and sat on my bed and stared straight ahead for what seemed like hours. Finally I got up went into my private bathroom and washed my face. Looking into the mirror, it was as though I could see right through myself. I couldn't make eye contact with myself. I brushed my teeth and put on a clean pair of white cotton panties and my pajama top. Since I was a small child, that was all I ever wore to bed. I knew I didn't want to be alone tonight. I looked out into the hallway and saw my Mom and Dad's bedroom door was open. I mean, I saw my Dad's bedroom door was open. Slowly I walked down the hall. The bedroom light was on and Dad was in bed asleep on Mom's side of the bed. His face in her pillow. I got in on Dad's side. I wished I could have laid my head on Mom's pillow too. Just to smell her scent. I knew Dad needed that more. It was still comforting when I put my head on his pillow.
The next morning when I woke up I was alone in bed. Every muscle in my body was sore. It was at that moment that the reality of what had happened enveloped me completely. I just starting sobbing, soaking Dad's pillow with my tears. After several minutes I heard a familiar voice.
"Kathy, how are you feeling?" It was my best friend Megan.
Megan is two years older than me. At the time of the accident I was 19 and she was 21. We had been friends since I was 13 and went to Bible Camp. She was a group leader and our personalities just clicked. We both love to tease the other and we have fun laughing and joking. As much at ourselves, as at each other. This was the first time one of us had to comfort the other in a tragic situation. She did a wonderful job.
"My Mommy's dead" I wailed. "And I killed her" I sobbed.
"Shhhhh, that's not true sweetie. Not true at all." she said as she moved toward the bed and sat down. She leaned over me to give me a friendly hug. I continued to cry. Tears rolling down my cheek. Megan held my head in her hands. Wiping the tears away with her thumbs, it was a gentle massage of my cheek bones. The feeling of love came over me and provided comfort.
"Where's Daddy?" I asked in a most pathetic little girl voice. "Does he hate me?"
With a slight chuckle, knowing this wasn't a laughing matter, but unable to help herself at the absurdity of my question, she leaned in and kissed me gently on the lips. Not as lovers, but as friends. A means to calm me. "No sweetie, your Dad could never hate you. He knows it was an accident."
I closed my eyes enjoying the touch of Megan as she massaged my neck and shoulders. I fell asleep remembering my 18th birthday. A smile on my face..