Unbreakable

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

“ I don’t know.” I repeat. This is the seventh time she’s asked.

“I’m sorry but we are going to need more information.” The tall lady in front of me says in such a monotone voice that it makes me want to smack her.

“ I really don’t know,” I say as my voice shakes and cracks with each syllable.

“We were at a stop light one minute and the next...” I trailed off physically unable to say what happened after that. I want to breakdown and cry right there on the floor.

Again.

But I know that it its going to be a long interview and I’ve got a long haul that I need to push through. “Were you under the influence?” She questioned even though I know she knows the answer. I took a breathalyzer test that night.

“No I was not.”

“ Alright, then can you explain to me how you were completely unharmed?” There it is. The question on everyone's mind, the question I’ve been asked day after day. The question that haunted me for the past five nights.

“No Ma'am I do not.” I choke out because, by now, I am crying. So much for pushing through I think to myself.

“Please any information helps.”

By now I don’t even know what to say. I don't have any answers, none. Which of course makes everything ten times worse. “Alright.” She sighs, rolling her eyes. I bet if she kept rolling them back there, maybe she’d find a brain. Asshole.

I wondered how much longer we’d sit here. I’d become accustomed to this room over the past several days. The same spider web expanded in the corners of the wall. I could smell the rolls from the bakery downstairs. The only thing that ever changed was the person asking the questions. The same questions, the same answers. The same thing. Over and over and over again. But then, something new was asked.

“Did you purposely try and kill Michelle in that car accident, Laura?” This took me by surprise. With tears now pouring down my swollen face I slowly shook my head. She stopped then,  asked if I wanted any water and when I said no, she said she would give me a minute. She walked out of the room, tight brown bun on the top of her head swishing along with her. I took a long, slow breath and held it there for awhile to try and stop the hiccups which had invaded my airways long ago. ‘Get it together,’ I think, ‘you're a total mess.’ I let my lungs fall and started again taking an even slower, breath and longer pause. She walked back into the room after my third breath which was actually help slowing the hiccups down. Thank God. Here we go.