“Decisions” flash fiction by Cat Wilson

Sometimes I just don’t listen. My husband Steve keeps telling me that my truck has seen better days, there is just too much wrong that needs work, and I really need to trade it in for something more reliable.

But as I said, sometimes I just don’t listen. My truck hauls around a lot of memories and I’m not ready to part with it. Besides, I like being high up and looking down upon all the little people.

But as I’m driving home today, I notice lights from a train coming in the distance, and I hurry it up a little so that I don’t get stuck at the level crossing waiting for the train to pass. I gun the gas and my truck goes into its usual overdrive.

But then it happens. She stalls – stalls right on the tracks. Then the gate comes down across the hood, and there I am – stuck on the tracks. My mind’s racing as I keep trying to start the truck again, and I’m too freaked to realize I should get out and run.

I look up to see the train speeding toward me, and that’s when the horror hits: I am going to die.

There’s the sound of screeching brakes, a piercing whistle, then darkness.

They say that your life flashes before your eyes. Well, the only thing flashing by me was all the bad decisions I ever made. Selfishness, greed, self-preservation – they led to a lot of bad choices for what I told myself were good reasons.

At least when I meet the big guy, I’ll be ready with my excuses. Except the Connie Francis tune keeps going through my mind: “Who’s sorry now?”

That’s easy – me.

My head hurts. Wait a minute – my head hurts! And I see a light.

“Ma’am, are you all right?””

“I’m not dead? That makes me wonderful.”

“The train hit the back of your truck and spun it out. An ambulance is on its way, but I think you’ll be all right.”

Yes, I think I will be … not just all right, but much better.

Photos: Napa Valley Wine Train and a section of the Eagle Nebula taken from the Hubble Telescope

Catherine “Cat” Wilson is a mystery writer in the making, she has been writing since she was fifteen and has a poem published in a national anthology. She also helped write and edit “A Journey Through Time” the Art of Steve Wilson, published in 2011. She hopes to have her first novel finished in 2012. She currently lives in Brampton with her husband Steve and her two dogs.

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