What if That Happens to Us?
Puck and I saw it happen at the same time: a white SUV tumbling through the air, hit the pavement of 141 – hard – roll over, and somehow land upright again on the highway.
We slowed to a stop two cars back as about six or seven people ran over to the crash site. While they got busy at the scene, I pulled out my phone and for the first time in my life, dialed 9-1-1. One very brief phone call later, emergency vehicles were on their way.
We waited for a few minutes more as a guy – clearly working on adrenaline – began tearing into the air bags of the car, trying to reach the woman behind the wheel.
“Put your head down, bud,” I told Puck, just in case it was a gory scene on the other side.
Fortunately the woman appeared to be conscious; no blood. A few minutes later and we merged out of the blocked lanes, passing the mangled vehicle.
“How did that happen?” Puck asked, somewhat alarmed. “What if that happens to us?!”
“Well,” I explained as we coasted towards Page, “anything could happen. But fortunately, I attended the best driving school on the planet. Grandpa taught me everything I need to know. I’ve never had an accident, and I’ve never been pulled over.”
Puck grinned. “Right as we crash into the ditch.”
A few minutes later, though, he was still bothered. “Mom, can we just stop driving? Can we go right home and get off the road?”
We talked some more about it. By the time we arrived at the Big House following another school day, Puck seemed cured for the present at least, and had instead remembered the thought that had been in his head all day long.
“My watch! My watch is coming in the mail today!”
Indeed, it had. When we got home in time for chimichangas that evening, Puck’s very first brand new black and orange wristwatch – with a face the size of a dessert plate – was waiting in the mailbox.
Puck was one very proud young man. We fiddled with the buttons and functions until it was set for use. He didn’t even take it off before going to bed that night. Puck’s new appendage.
PULSE OF THE POST SEASON:
1. Yankees lose to Astros in American League Wild Card, as predicted.
2. National League Wild Card Game prediction: Pirates fall to Cubs.