Sam's day had been horrid and it had only begun. The boys had not cooperated this morning and Rachel had wet her bed in the night and they were out of laundry detergent so Sam would have to stop by and get some on the way home. Sigh. Another stop.
As she exited into the traffic on the interstate, she switched on the radio. She was not in the mood for news. No, she needed music. Upbeat music to make her forget about her worries for a bit. As she merged into the flow of vehicles making their way toward the morning grind, "The Final Countdown" came on. She sang along, trying to pretend she was in her teens again. Just as the song climaxed, she heard a "buzzing" to her left, near the handle of the van door. Glancing down, she half expected to see a fly sitting on the door handle and as she heard the buzzing again, she was surprised when she didn't.
"Oh, well. Just something else to contend with." As the song ended, she heaved a heavy sigh and turned down the music and groped for the pad and pencil that had slid down between the seat and the cubby holder. She needed to make a list of items she would need for the PTO meeting tonight. She also jotted a quick note that Jacob would have to take Rachel to gymnastics since she wouldn't be home. Then there was the problem of supper. As she flicked on the blinker to merge into the right hand lane a billboard caught her attention. Perfect! Five for $five after five on Tuesdays! Another note. Tonight would be a Sonic night. Buzz!
This time when she glanced down, she wiped her hand over the handle. Maybe the fly was caught underneath, but she still found nothing. She jotted a note to have Jacob check it to make certain there wasn't a wire or anything loose. Just then, the heavy grey clouds opened up and dense raindrops began to splatter on the windshield drowning out the music and her train of thought. Great. As she turned on the windshield wipers, the car in front of her began to slow down so she merged into the fast lane. Glancing at the clock, she was dismayed to see that she was almost late for work, and today was team meeting. She couldn't be late! Buzz!
That was it! She couldn't stand that noise anymore! It had to be something simple! There were no cars in front of her and the road was straight so she allowed her eyes to drift to the armrest. Buzz! What was it! Unthinking, she leaned in a little closer and her hand followed her eyes. Just as the steering wheel directed the van across the median into the oncoming traffic, Sam figured out what the sound really was. The sound of death.

Michele Campbell's work has appeared in Chicken Soup for the Father's Soul.

Copyright © 2005. Do not reproduce without permission.

Home Contents