1.

 

The cool water from the sprinkler arced into the air. Sadie sat on the patio, her sweaty legs sticking to the white plastic chair. She opened the latest book in the crime series she'd been reading.

Marcus squealed as he leaped through the water on narrow brown feet. His red-and-white trunks were streaked with grass stains. The ground was so wet now that Sadie could hear the squish of his feet as he ran in circles. Sammy, their golden retriever, trotted after him letting out the occasional bark.

"Look, Mom," Marcus called out as he grabbed Sammy around the neck and pulled him down into the grass. The dog rolled over and over wagging his tail with delight.

Sadie laughed. She knew it had been a good idea to buy that dog, even though her husband, Kevin, hadn't thought so at the time. Marcus was five now and they had tried for another baby for years, but it just hadn't happened. A dog made a good playmate, almost as good as a younger sibling for now.

It was early September and the Florida heat wrapped itself around her even in the shade of the awning. She pulled her green t-shirt away from her body to let some air in, but it was no use. If she hadn't gone to the hairdresser's that morning she would've joined them in the sprinklers. She reached up and touched her freshly cut shoulder-length bob. It was neatly curled under and unusually stiff with hairspray.

Marcus rolled back and forth. Stray bits of grass stuck to his bare skin. "Come on, Mom," he yelled, rolling over onto his stomach and propping his face up in his hands to look at her. "It's fun." Sammy jumped over him. "Sammy thinks it's fun too."

"Not today, Honey. I'm reading." Sadie held up her book and smiled.

"She's reading, reading, reading." Marcus stood up, stretched out his arms and twirled in circles repeating the word "reading" again and again. Each time, he said it louder and louder until it was a scream.

Sadie looked down at her book and started to read, blocking out his voice as he spun around in circles. She loved starting a new book and quickly settled into the words forgetting the world around her.

A terrible thump crashed into her thoughts and before she knew it she was on her feet. Marcus lay sprawled on his back in the grass perfectly still. He must have run into the thick low branch on the oak tree. Sadie ran over to him. "Marcus," she called, cradling his head in her arms.

The ten-minute drive to the hospital felt like forever. She thought that driving Marcus herself would be faster than waiting for an ambulance, but at every red light she regretted that decision. She spent more time watching him in the rear-view mirror than looking at the road. She watched for the rise and fall of his belly that let her know he was still breathing. Her heart fluttered in her chest.

She called Kevin as soon as she could, but that was after dealing with the doctors and after Marcus had regained consciousness ... after she knew he would be all right. She held the cold plastic phone to her ear and waited for Kevin's voice to bring it to life. "There was an accident," she said. "No, it was Marcus ... He hit his head ...We're at the hospital ... It's just a slight concussion ... Don't bother, everything is going to be fine ...We'll see you at home ...Yeah, I'll tell him ... Love you."

Sadie wanted Marcus to sleep with them that night, but he refused. Even with the walnut-sized lump growing on his forehead he was a big boy and big boys slept in their own beds. He took a few sips of water before lying back on his pillows and pulling his Incredible Hulk sheet up to his chin. He was too tired for a story. "Maybe tomorrow night," Sadie said as she closed his Mr. Choo Choo book and placed it on the bedside table. He'd already closed his eyes when she placed her hand gently on top of his head, his black curls wrapping around her fingers.

Later that night she sat up in bed thinking. The thump of Marcus's head hitting the tree branch echoed in her mind again and again, frightening away sleep. Kevin rolled over to face her. "What's wrong?" he asked, placing a warm, heavy hand on her back.

"Do you think he's all right?" she asked, staring into the darkness.

"I'll go check on him."

"No, I'll do it." Before he could move, Sadie was up out of bed. Her bare feet sank into the plush carpet as she padded down the hall.

The nightlight cast a yellow glow into the darkness making it easy for her to see Marcus lying on his back in bed. His arms splayed, one thin hand hung over the side of the bed.

Sadie fought the urge to wake him to ask him if he was okay. She sat on the floor pulling her knees up to her chest and stretching her oversized t-shirt over her legs.

She didn't know how long she'd been sitting there when Kevin came in. Groggy-eyed, he peered around the corner into the room. "Is he okay?" he whispered.

Sadie nodded silently still watching Marcus, his little body twitching with sleep.

"Are you coming back to bed?" He'd stepped completely into the room now.

"In a minute." She turned to give him a reassuring smile.

"All right," Kevin said before disappearing down the hall again.

Sadie never made it back to bed. Instead, she curled up on the floor resting her head on her bent arm and closed her eyes. The sound of Marcus's steady breathing lulled her to sleep.