25 Days of Christmas Poetry and Short Story Edition-Day 5

“Are we there yet?”  James whines in his booster seat.

Susan rips off her headphones. “Stop asking that!” Susan glares at James.

“Don’t tell me what to do.”

“Kids, relax. We’re almost there.” Thomas smiles in the rear view mirror.

“You said that an hour ago.” Susan rolls her eyes and shoves her headphones back on.

“Why don’t we stop for lunch Tom, give the kids time to stretch their legs.” Martha suggests as she pets Bubba. Bubba stands stretching over Martha’s lap into Thomas digging his nails into Thomas’ jeans.

Thomas winches. “We’re almost at my parent’s house. There’s no need to stop again.” He pushes Bubba back toward Martha ignoring the hiss from the cat. “And how are we going to stop with the cat and dog? This area doesn’t have any outdoor eating options only a few restaurants the rest of the way.”

James kicks the back of the driver’s seat. “I’m hungry daddy. I want to stop too.”

Susan groans and bangs her head on the back of her seat.

“Hey, cut it out James.” Thomas raises his voice through gritted teeth. James kicks the seat again whining. “Guys it’s Christmas eve. Please try to be on your best behavior.”

Martha reaches back and pops James on the leg. “James stop that.” James throws the iPad in his hand down. “Thomas let’s just stop. We’ve been driving for four hours since our last stop.”

“Ugh, Sandy get back.” Susan holds her hands up trying to stop their golden retriever from climbing from the back onto her lap. “Ouch.” Sandy pushes through and climbs down onto the cooler in the middle seat knocking it over and knocking herself into Susan’s lap.

“Oh no” Martha takes her seat belt off and tries to clean up the mess. Most of the ice in the cooler had melted.

“I’ll help.” James takes his seat belt off.

Thomas turns his head. “No, you put your seat belt back on. You know better. Sit back down, now.” He scolds James turning his attention to Susan. “Help your brother now.”

“Dear pay attention to the road.” Martha pat’s Thomas arm then searches the glove compartment for napkins. Bubba hops back in her lap.

“James won’t listen.” Susan grumbles.

“I’m helping mom.”

Martha yanks back around. Bubba jolts into Thomas’ lap making him swerve. “James, listen to your sister. Thomas please just pull over somewhere.” She ignores the kisses from Sandy and shoves the drinks and leftover ice back into the cooler.

James gets in his seat letting Susan put his seat belt back on then delivers another blow to the back of the driver’s seat folding his arms.

“What did I tell you young man?” Thomas jolts around raising his voice. “You keep this up and Santa will only be giving you a bag of coal.”

“Dad, watch out!” Susan cries out dropping her cellphone and grabbing onto Sandy.

Thomas and Martha turn back around simultaneously.

“Honey!”

“Oh, Shit!”

Thomas swerves the car but not fast enough and hits a moose. Half of it slams into the front of the car crushing the metal and shattering the window.

With eyesight blurred and a mind splitting headache, Thomas struggles to keep his eyes open. “Kids? Martha?” He rasps out. No answer. With difficulty he turns his head to his right. “Martha? Martha!”

“Daddy?” Susan groans. “Mom?”

“Susan, are you ok? James! James are you ok?” Thomas hyperventilates. He yanks at his seat belt. His eyesight clears. “Oh my God.”

“What, what’s wrong?” Susan removes James’ seat belt.

“Nothing, focus on your brother. I’m going to get out and call for help.”

“Mom.” James whispers eyes closed.

Thomas climbs out the driver’s side window clinching his teeth in pain. He drops hard on the pavement crying out. Thomas lays still staring at a body partially covered in snow. Tears mix with the blood running down his face. Snow continues to fall. Darkness beads and with his last conscious moments he dials 911 and gasps out.

“Help.”