27 - Nine Lives

April 22, 2004
5:55 pm
     "By the way, Jamal, we forgot there was a customer waiting at the dealership.  Could you
go pick them up in the Ford Focus?"
I look at my watch.  5:55 pm.  I'm supposed to go home @ 6:00 pm. Hour & a half drive
home.  I noticed that the manager and assistant manager have been in the office for a few
minutes closing things down.
     "You guys fucking kill me," I said in my always pleasant manner. "I'm
not taking your walkie and my phone will be off.  How long has this person been
waiting?"
     "About 45 minutes."
     "Nice nothing like taking care of the unhappy customers.  Love getting the shit
deals."  I am a joy to work with, really.

6:00 pm
Traveling north on Rte 5 in West Springfield, MA a car quickly cuts from the passing lane
to the driving lane and cuts off a small SUV.  The offending driver then comes to
a stop trying to decide if they are going to jump onto the on ramp for the main highway
or continue on rte 5.  The pathfinder is forced to come to a complete emergency stop.

Being one car length behind the SUV traveling about 35/40 mph the puddle jumper I am
driving is unable to come to a complete stop.  I don't remember the airbag exploding in
my face or the windshield stress cracking.  It was more of a realization that I had just
been in a car accident.  The back bumper of the SUV was crushed and the front end
of the puddle jumper was destroyed.  The offending vehicle sees that it has caused an accident
by stopping short and takes off on to the on ramp.

6:01 pm
I realize that I have lost track of time because the couple in the SUV have
magically appeared at my driver & passenger side windows.  I am inhaling airbag dust.  My
chest is on fire.  The passenger side door won't open.  The woman is convinced she sees
gasoline coming from one of the cars.

6:02 pm
I am coming to my senses.  Nothing seems broken.  The dust is still coming from the
airbags.  My ears are still ringing from the explosion.
I check to see if I'm bleeding.  I am thinking of the song Airbag from "OK
Computer".  Woman keeps asking me if I'm ok.  I keep wondering if I'm dead.  Fight
not to black out.  I notice the windshield is smashed.  Call office from inside car to
report accident.  I ask if she and her husband are ok.  They seems fine.

6:03 pm
I realize gas may be pouring from one of the cars and attempt to get out of my car.  Open
the drivers side door and step into oncoming traffic.  Head is still spinning.  My
lungs feel like they are on fire.  Legs are weak.  Hit by the sudden calm.  Not shock but
calm.  Start wondering why I'm not dead but realize that it's closing in on me.

That Beautiful Black Man