CHAPTER 3
The Accident
June 8th 1995.
“Mommy you look pretty.” I watch her ready herself in the mirror, from
her cozy bed. I love to watch Mommy get
ready to go out with Daddy, she is so fancy. I slide off the bed and move
closer to her. She’s so beautiful. Big round pearl earrings, a pearl necklace
and silver sparkles in her dress. I watch as she touches her nose with makeup
then turns and puts a little on mine. Ruby red lipstick on her lips then a
little on mine too, it’s a fun game we play back and forth till I look like
mommy. Her mahogany hair is hanging loose down her back, she reaches for
me, “Give me your hands sweetie,” she
giggles. “We can dance until daddy gets ready.” I love to dance with Mommy,
it’s my favorite thing to do with her, and she is so graceful. She moves like Ginger Rogers. She’s so lucky
she can stay up late. Daddy looks good too in his handsome black suit. I know
he doesn’t like it, he wears it for Mommy. He’s much more comfortable wearing
his jeans. He told me once when we in the car.
He’s wearing smelly stuff from the bottle on his dresser, old Spice, it
smells so cinnamon. They are both ready
and are heading to the door. I’m a little pouty because I have to stay with
Mrs. Kolizniki. She always makes me
drink my tea out of a saucer, like a cat. “Libbie, come here sweetie. Mommy and
Daddy want to give you a great big goodbye hug and kiss.” I run from the
kitchen into my Mom’s arms, Daddy moves in and hug me too. “We love you
sweetheart, give daddy a kiss. Tomorrow we can work on the play house all day,
sweetie! So, get lots of sleep.” She kisses my forehead.
“Lena we’ll be back
before 11pm.” Turning to Lena Koliznik, our neighbour, “let Libbie have the hall light on.”
Night-night, Libbie. Night-night, Petunia.”
“Night. Night.” When
they leave I feel a hollow place in myself, an empty void that can only be
fixed upon my parent's return. I stand with my nose and hands pressed against
the cool glass as I watch them walk hand in hand to the car. I love you too,
mommy and daddy. As soon as they leave Mrs. Koliznik turns on the high fi and
she starts to dance “come on Libbie. We put our hands in the air and
pirouette.” I join her but, I still feel
that emptiness in my tummy that only goes away when mommy and daddy come home
and kiss me goodnight. Only then can I truly go to sleep.
I hear bang and I’m dopey but, I listen
intently, straining my ears. I’m listening for Mommy and daddy, I think they
are home. Then I hear Mrs. Kolinsky get
up to answer the door, “Good evening officer how can I help you?”
I hear a muffled
response. Then I hear Mrs. Koliznic almost cry back. “NO…. no …..Oh my god! No,
it can’t be Libbie!!! Oh my God Libbie!” she cries out. I quickly get out of bed and grab my Petunia
bear, “Mommy? Daddy? come kiss me goodnight!” I know I should be in bed but, I
have to see Mommy and Daddy, I run down the stairs, Mrs. Kolinsky is waiting at
the bottom. Her eyes are filled with saddened look and big tear drops down her
face. “Libbie darling, oh baby your mommy and Daddy were in an accident.
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