Overcoming Obstacles

Void

I was fifteen when it happened.

My family and I live in Texas after a drastic move from Florida. Most of my dad's side of the family, not that I ever met them, stayed so we don't have any relatives here. Despite not knowing anyone, I took the move with ease.

The leaves were just changing color, when my life changed drastically. It wasn't hot and humid like most days here, but as November neared a cool breeze started setting in.
My parents and I were on our way to celebrate with some of my dad's coworkers, since he worked at a firm downtown. Apparently it was going to be a get together at a ranch out of town with all the worker's families. I was excited to meet other kids my age, so I was anxious through the ride.

Mom turned her head at my excitement, "Addy make sure to behave and have lots of fun". At her comment, I replied with an obvious yes. My dad looked at me through the rearview mirror and smiled then turned to my mom and offered his hand. In that split second, they looked so happy. I was so lucky to have them.

The next thing I knew a light shined through the windshield and we went flying. I felt pain. I was awake. I was alive.
"Addy?"
"Mom? Mommy, you're bleeding!"
"I know baby girl, but can you listen to me, get out of the car Addy. Get out now!"
I was in a daze. This wasn't happening. What was going on?
"Dad? Dad, wake up, papa! Mom he isn't waking up." His head was against the steering wheel at an odd angle. He took the hit, the truck hit his side. This can't be happening. I turn to him in search of a pulse.

"Addy get out now, baby girl, I smell gasoline". I turn at my mom's voice. She has tears streaking down her face. She knows. My dad. She knows. God, no, this can't be happening.
"Mom?" I need to get help. I need help. That other truck hasn't shown any life within. Call 911 Adelaide, you need help, listen to mom.
"Okay mom, hold on okay?" Her eyes were drifting a close. She's not leaving me, she can't die on me.

"Adelaide, listen to me. I love you. We love you. Don't let anyone put you down, live on to be happy and love a lot. We both know, baby, that I'm not coming out of this alive." She was bleeding everywhere and a lot by all the red I was seeing but that didn't mean she had to give up.
"Mommy, hold on please". In that moment, I heard sirens. Surely, they could save my mom. It was then that I saw smoke, I could see fire in the other vehicle building up.
We need out.
I drag out my mom, as her eyes flutter, trying to stay awake.

"Help! I need help, my mom is...my mom is injured!" The sobs seep out of my body. God, please don't take my mom. Don't. Daddy, oh daddy, he's dead. My heart bleeds.
The paramedics take hold of all of us. My dad is zipped into a body bag, a closure of sorts for a daughter who sees him disappear in both body and soul. My mom is on a gurney taken into the back of an ambulance. I hear the paramedics talking.

"She's internally bleeding, and her exterior wounds are too fatal. She won't make it."
I see red. My tears, my shock, and my heartache clouds my vision. This can't be happening.
I climb the back of the ambulance with my mom. She is trying to stay awake but I can see she's suffering. She searches for my hand. "Remember Adelaide, always and forever. Live on, baby. I love you so so much." Her grip loosens. My heart stops. This can't be. I'm in a nightmare. They try to revive her but she's gone. I'm alone, she's gone.
"Do you have anyone, you can contact?" I turn towards the voice. The paramedic looks on to me for an answer. "No, they were all I had". My voice is a void, it's empty. My heart is broken. My soul is soulless.