unforgivable

Carmen Silver checked her rearview mirror once, then twice. No one was following her, thank god. She relaxed in small increments. She looked at her daughter sleeping soundly in the backseat and sighed happily, maybe just maybe they would make it this time. Maybe she would get far enough away so that she’d never be found. She knew there were ways to change your name, start over. Carmen was counting on some good luck and prayer to carry her through. Her stomach rolled uneasily as a light rain started to fall. Her mind raced with all she’d need to do. She should have thought through this a little more. She tapped lightly on the brake; her back tires slid and finally caught the rain slick road. Carmen took a deep breath to calm herself. I’m going to be fine, she thought, I am going to be OK.
The mountain roads were hazardous under the best of conditions, but in the rain or snow they were almost impossible. Carmen knew if she could just get off the mountain she would be home free. Suddenly, her vision went wickedly blurry. She gasped. The sheen of lights on the road caused her head to ache. She squinted and rubbed at her face. The road danced in front of her and instinct kicked in. Carmen slammed on the brake, and the car slid endlessly towards the shoulder and eventual drop off. She gulped air and looked back at the baby. Oh no oh God please no no no no no. Knowing from her early bible lessons that God would listen any time, she started to pray frantically. Making deals with God in the middle of the night was Carmen’s special talent. She promised she’d never drink again. She promised she would call her Mom, but most of all she promised Dale would never hit her baby again. The car stopped, but Carmen’s vision continued to ebb and swim in front of her. Blinking and crying she fought to regain control of the situation, but panic was getting the better of her now. If Dale caught up to them, it was over. Light sliced through the windshield and a horn blared. Just as quickly as the silence had started it ended. The car lifted and lurched towards the edge of the road and began to roll. Carmen prayed again, sickly, as Megan began to cry in the backseat. Not my baby, Lord, please not her.