Maggie

I just sat there, waiting on someone to say something, anything that would make sense out of the clucking that went on around me. But that's all I heard. Shouting and nonsensical clucking.

What in the world was happening and where in the world was Joe?

I was moving. Rolling, I guess. The faint sound of something metal clicked near my side. A pin prick and then nothing. I felt nothing.

How did I get here?

I remember I was in the car, discussing politics with my son in the backseat. Who knew a seven-year-old would be so in tune with today's issues? Maybe he'll run for President someday.

There was a flash of light, a loud sound. And then, there was Wendy. Wendy. Joe's bosomy partner. She was pretty in that strange fake-smile looking way. Like she was beguiling you with her saccharine sweetness, but waiting for you to leave so she could bang your husband while you weren't looking. But this time, she seemed different. Frantic. Less confident than normal.

I could see the familiar red and blue of police cruisers, bouncing off the metal around me. Alex loves to sit in Joe's car and turn those things on and off. I had the faint feeling that they were there for me today.

Maggie. Someone was calling my name. Maggie, everything is going to be okay. Joe. I could vaguely feel his presence. Not like usual when his nearness would overwhelm my senses. His familiar smell was watered-down by something else, and I knew the sound of fear in his voice.

I thought of Alex, while someone slipped a mask over my face.

Note to Self: Just a short story to keep up my writing skills...