It could have been worse

It takes one second, maybe less, to make the wrong decision. This decision then sets into motion a chain of events that are unconscious to the person who stimulated this reaction.

Let me explain.

A person turns to light a cigarette. In that fraction of a second they lose the ability to bring their moving vehicle to a stop colliding slightly with the vehicle in front of them. The impact is slight. So slight that the 16 month old infant sleeping her car seat remains sleeping. The slight impact resonates. First there is the shock and realization of the collision. Then there is anger and anxiety. Police are on the scene. Reports are written, insurance is exchanged. Thank you for the ticket, my new insurance card was at home. Time…is ticking. They never seem to rush. Take precautions and go to the hospital. It is 11 pm. More time. The emergency is busy – that’s a surprise. Go to this desk than that one and then come back here. What is your name and health card number? Do you have any allergies? What is your name and health card number? Do you have any allergies? What is your name and health card number? Do you have any allergies? There are lots of sick people in this room. There are lots of ugly people too. It smells and it’s dirty – that’s a surprise. Gross. Get checked out, your fine but here are some 222s just in case. Yummy. These will be fine. Get back in the car, shit I got another ticket. Now I am up to $80 and it wasn’t even my fault. Go to sleep because it’s 2 am and we have to get up for work. Get up for work. Take the car to get checked out because there were odd sounds coming from below. Miss a half day of work. Your car is not safe to drive. You can rent one and it’s covered however you will have to pay for the insurance. (Irony). That will be $70 and now that makes it $150, not including a half day of missed work. Call my insurance and explain everything all over again ….


…and to maintain my sanity I keep repeating the same well-warn and warn-well cliché ‘it could have been worse’ - amen

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