|
.::oDrew -> Memoirs, Biographies, and Obituaries: A Novel. (12/1/2008 15:53:54)
|
Chapter 1
The tires of the tan-gold Ford Contour skidded along the icy road as its driver, sweat pouring from his balding brow, rammed his foot against the brake pedal in desperation as he grappled the steering wheel. His suit, cheap, gray, and tweed, covered a rumpled white dress shirt and faded red necktie; he had forgotten his jacket and gloves, which left him with little protection against the bitter cold. The sleet, which fell like icy ribbons from the blue-black sky, refracted the blinding beams of light shooting out from the rapidly approaching vehicle, leaving the imperiled victim-to-be in a semi-daze. Cursing his unfortunate luck, he groped for the emergency brake with his right hand while his left continued to struggle with the wheel. Upon finding it, he gave it a mighty tug and hoped for the best – but to no avail. The back tires locked, causing the front end to whip around and sending the entire car spinning. Realizing that there was nothing more he could do, the helpless man curled up as small as he could, placed his arms over his head, and braced himself for the eminent impact.
“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Newman!” The surgeon beamed. “You’re now the proud parents of a healthy little baby girl.” The mother, still damp from the toils of labor, turned her bright emerald eyes towards her husband, who stood vigilantly by her side. The two locked eyes for a moment, then simultaneously broke into excited smiles.
“Oh, how wonderful,” she exclaimed, her weak voice belying her profound joy. “May we see her?”
The surgeon, still dressed in his light blue scrubs, beamed once more. “Of course! Nurse Evans is bringing her in right now.” As he spoke, a nurse carrying the sleeping newborn child – wrapped in a blanket like a tiny package - walked slowly through the room’s open door, cooing and whispering loving words into the baby’s ear. As she approached the hospital bed, she gently lifted the infant and placed her on her mother’s chest. For a moment, all the young mother could do was let out a slow, soft sigh of wonder; it was as if she could not believe that this beautiful new life had been formed within her. The father, wide-eyed in amazement, bent down and gently stroked his baby daughter’s head. Summoning all her strength, the mother leaned forward and planted a tender kiss on her child’s forehead.
|
|
|
|
