012/2012 Caution

Word Count:  325

After fifteen married years she got pregnant. Just about when they’d given up hope. She was thrilled, he was beaming, but she warned him they’d have to take every precaution and he willingly agreed to do whatever he could.

It was a difficult pregnancy at her age but the doctor optimistically told them that he believed she would carry this one through. She quit her job at four months and housework at six. The last two months she was confined to her bed.

They were thrilled with the healthy son she delivered and at two weeks early, he was near fully developed and strong. He nursed, he transitioned to solids, he giggled and grabbed at her finger, he walked just before he turned one and he spoke in full sentences right around age two.

Still, she was overly careful, worried at each little sniffle, cried every time if he fell. Each skinned knee was kissed before bandaged. Every change in his mood was watched over. Every electrical outlet was plugged up and each Christmas toy was researched for safety before it was bought and placed under the tree.

He grew healthy and happy and just like a kid, loved to explore and ask questions.

At the crosswalk downtown the two waited. She held tightly on to his hand.“Why do I have to wear boots over my shoes?” he asked. “Why three scarves, earmuffs and hat, and why double mittens?”

“Because it is cold out,” she told him. “Because you are precious and loved.”

As the light changed and the crossing light started flashing she took one step off the curb. But her motherly instinct saw the car that was speeding right toward them just as he stepped down beside her.

She jumped back, gripped tighter, and pulled him back up on the curb but his wee little hand slipped out of the big bulk of mittens and thwump! just like that, he was gone.