Crash
By TMN
Joey Doran tossed his briefcase into his car. He threw his morning bagel beside him on the passenger seat. His collared button down shirt was barely on, and his tie was draped loosely around his shoulders. He ruffled his brown hair, started his car, and zoomed out of the driveway. He looked at the clock. 10:15 AM. He was late. Really late. His boss would not like this at all.
Joey tailgated the car behind him as much as he dared. Finally, he swerved over to the left and sped ahead. He run two yellows, and suddenly braked. There was always congestion at the freeway onramp. Joey was really, really late. He maneuvered his way to the front of a red light. He was on the rightmost lane. When it turned green, he roared ahead. When he scanned further down, he saw he had several green lights ahead. Joey confidently accelerated his car. Then he saw it. A white pick-up truck was turning onto his street. If Joey did not slowed down, he would crash into it. Fortunately, Joey had a second option. He waited until the last possible moment, and right before he hit the truck, he smoothly changed lanes to the left.
Joey checked his rearview mirror. Oh SHIT! Too late. He knew he was going to hit the dark green Toyota Rav4 in his blindspot. The Rav4 reacted admirably. It braked so hard that smoke erupted from its wheels. The driver also swerved into the next lane. Joey would not be in a car crash today. However, the Rav4 braked too hard and swerved too hard. It flipped over 3 times, each flip making a deafening crunch every time the top hood smashed into the ground. The traffic behind Joey and the Rav4 slowed down. Joey instantly slowed down, but when he saw in the mirror the mashed box that once was the Rav4, he panicked. Joey eased off the break and drove on.
Joey could not believe what just happened. He suddenly lost the desire to get to work. His head became lightheaded. Did that really happen? I didn’t mean for it to happen! It’s not my fault. I didn’t touch her car at all! She should have driven more carefully. Why did this have to happen to me? What am I going to do? There goes my plan for this weekend. I don’t want to do anything anymore. I wish I woke up on time. I can’t believe that happened! I wonder if that person is ok. What if she’s hospitalized? What if they track me down? Should I go back? NO, I will get in lots of legal trouble. No, it is the right thing to do. No, I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t hurt her. I can’t believe that happened! Joey turned on the radio to distract himself and ease his mind. He switched to one of the local rock stations.
“…with a traffic update. A dark green Rav4 has just flipped over on the…” Joey switched the station.
“…terrupt our regularly scheduled programmings to bring to you live news about a flipped Rav4…” Joey turned off the radio. Well, maybe I should listen to the CD player.
He fumbled around with the CD player. It was on mute. When he adjusted the volume, the speakers blasted, “…me a sign….Hit me baby one more time!” Joey turned it off. Damn Britney Spears. I never liked her anyways.
Joey reached his office to the great ire of his boss. He retreated to his cubicle, utterly tired and distracted. Well, I’m not going to be productive anytime soon, and it’s almost lunch. Might as well take a break. He reached under his desk and pulled out his portable TV. Every channel displayed footage of the Rav4. Joey switched the channel until he did not see the Rav4 anymore. Finally, a channel had no Rav4. There was just a picture of a girl. She was a young girl, black hair, fair skin, lovely smile. Finally…Joey turned up the volume.
“…loved
cats, and volunteered at the local convalescent home to be near her
grandmother. Susie Carmichael was a
senior, graduating in a mere 4 days. She
had top honors in all of her classes, and was going to attend
Joey could not take it anymore. He was going back to the crash site and telling everyone the full story. He didn’t care what consequence it would bring. It would be immensely more merciful than the guilt that weighed on him like granite stones. He swiveled his chair around and stood up. A policeman stood before him. Joey gasped in surprise, but quickly recovered himself.
“Hello, are you Joseph Doran?”
“Yes…What can I do for you, Officer?”
“Hi, my name is Officer Chris Singe, and I’m here to arrest you on charges of reckless driving and involuntary manslaughter…”