My Soul To Keep

One minute he was there, building his castle in the sand box.  The next he was gone.

She didn't panic.  He could just be out of sight.  Amanda walked to the kitchen door, swung it open and called his name. 

"Robbie, Robbie, hon, where are you?" 

She looked around the yard, but it was empty and silent.  She ran around the corner and down the walkway toward the front of the house.  Her heart started to beat faster.  The gate was open. 

"Robbie, come to Mommy." 

She ran out to the front yard, looked to the right and her heart caught in her throat.  A blue sedan was parked near the curb, two houses down the street.  Amanda ran toward it as it started to pull away.  She could see a small head bobbing in the front seat and a man behind the wheel.  She ran faster, the car stalled.  She felt her throat closing, barely able to contain the lump that had formed.  Tears stung her eyes.  Sweat dripped down the sides of her face, and formed pools under her arms.

Please, oh God, please, she thought, let me catch up.  The car jerked forward and started to roll slowly away from the edge of the sidewalk.  Amanda ran as fast as she could.  She couldn't catch her breath, yet she moved even faster.  Her hand touched the rear fender; she inched up closer on the passenger side.  She could see Robbie clearly now.  His tear stained face was pressed against the window.  He was screaming.  Just a little bit further.  Her lungs were on fire.  She grabbed the door handle.  The car was propelling her forward.  A few more inches.  I can do it.  They were almost to the STOP sign at the corner.  Illogically she thought, he has to stop for that.  I can open the door then.  Her ankles felt like they had lead weights tied to them, the soles of her feet burned, but she kept running.  At the intersection her fingers grabbed the passenger door handle.  She could see the lock in the up position.  A car screeched, the sedan bucked and she heard, rather than felt, the metal hit her body.