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Marquette Plantation – Present Day
FRED AND JOYCE MARQUETTE were listening to an “oldies but goodies station” as they drove home from dinner. They had dropped off Bill and Judy Mayon at home already. She turned to her husband of forty-eight years, “Supper was delicious and I enjoyed our visit with Bill and Judy, but I regret not having a Mardi Gras party this year.”
Fred shook his head, “We will make it up at Easter this year. Besides, it really isn’t Mardi Gras without Bridgette. Perhaps we should have driven to see her this year.”
“We can still do that. We can leave early in the morning and surprise her.”
“Let’s do it then. I’ve missed my baby girl.”
THE DRIVER OF THE EIGHTEEN-wheeler did not see the oil slick on the road and lost control. As the massive vehicle lost traction, the driver honked his horn as a warning, but it was too late for anyone in his path.
The truck driver clutched the steering wheel and pounded on the brakes in an attempt to lessen the effects of the impending accident. He felt the trailer slide to the left before hitting the car. He watched in horror as the car careened through the air. He found his cell phone and called immediately for help, thankful that the road was almost deserted at this hour.
The violent collision created an ear piercing sound of crashing metal and exploding glass. The brief, panic-stricken screams echoed in the night. The immense force had reduced the vehicle involved into twisted metal, almost unrecognizable. Within minutes, the sound of sirens filled the night air.