A Day Unlike Any Other

Originally sent to subscribers in August, 2023. Sign up for the newsletter now to receive exclusive stories months in advance.

“Adam! Remember that before the accident, she was your sister,” he says. “Now Regina, just stay calm. It’s all going to be okay. I’ll call the shop and get you fixed right up.”

Tom reaches his arm behind me and into the top of my shirt. It’s like he’s searching for something at the base of my neck.

“Tom? Tom what’s going on? What accident? Tell me what’s happ—”

#

Three Years Ago…

The day starts like any other day. My fourth alarm of the morning finally forces me out of bed at 6:45 a.m. After dragging myself to the bathroom and splashing some water on my face, I tie my hair up into a messy bun and grab whatever (hopefully clean) clothes I see first. I remember when I used to care how I looked every single day, but it’s my senior year. I’m just trying to vibe on through.

Ken is waiting for me at my bedroom door when I finally emerge, wagging his tail and staring up at me. Sometimes I forget how big he’s gotten. At three years old and over ninety pounds, I think it’s about time we got him a friend. I’ve even sent my parents a few links to adoption sites. They haven’t budged yet, but they will.

“Regina?” Mom calls from downstairs. “You want toast?”

“Yes, Lisa,” I yell. “Thank you.”

“Why do you call her that?” Adam smacks me on the back of the head as he runs by me and bounds down the steps two at a time.

“You may be six inches taller and fifty pounds heavier, but I’m still your big sister.” I try to sound as intimidating as my voice can muster. “And I’ll still pound on you.”

He stares back at me, unconvinced. “Okay, ‘Big Sis.’”

Without warning, I fling what’s left of my water bottle from the night before, putting everything I have into the throw. He snatches it out of the air with hardly a glance. I huff and push past him and into the kitchen, where Mom has just put two plates on the counter.

“Is Alice awake yet?” she asks.

Adam and I laugh in unison. “Please,” he says. “She made sure she had all afternoon classes so she could sleep in as long as possible.”

“I heard that,” Alice mumbles as she rounds the corner, her eyes barely open and her hair sticking out in every direction. “You guys are so loud.”

“You look… good,” Adam says.

“Shut up.”

“Adam, Regina, eat your toast and leave your sister alone,” Dad says from his place in the living room. “You’re going to be late.”

“That reminds me, can you take Adam today?” I call.

“Why?”

“I need to meet up with my friends to study before our Biology test.”

“And you can’t take your brother?”

“No,” I say with more attitude than intended. “He has class first period. We’re meeting at the café.”

“I assume that means you need money?” Dad asks, rising from his chair with empty plate and mug in hand.

“Actually, no,” I say triumphantly. “I have my tutoring money.”

Dad holds out a twenty dollar bill. “Still, take it. Save your money for college.”

“Thank you, Tom.” I extend my hand to shake, nodding as if we’ve just closed on a business deal.

He takes my hand in his strong grip. “Of course, Regina.”

Adam rolls his eyes and catches my glare. “You’re weird.”

I pretend to take a bite of toast, drop it on my plate, and lurch around the corner. In an instant, I’m behind Adam. I smother him in a hug, my arms clutching his neck just enough to warm him not to mess with me anymore. “I love you, baby bro,” I say while planting a kiss on his cheek. “See you later.” Before he can retaliate, I slide my toast from the counter, throw on my backpack, and run through the door, waving to everyone as I leave.

“Bye, guys. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

#

The trees whip by in a blur as I speed down the interstate. Traffic is light this morning. People must be reluctant to go out in this rain. Lightning cracks directly overhead, so close I feel my car shake from the vibrations. I shudder along with it and turn the music volume down. The spider living in my trunk will have to wait for my beautiful Taylor Swift impersonation.

I squint my eyes to see through the mist and the rain. The exit to the café is just over this next little hill. Another bolt of lightning streaks across my vision. My eye follows. Lightning is so cool. It’s amazing how common it is, yet how much more there is to learn about it.

It takes a moment for my brain to register what I’m seeing as my eyes dart back to the road. A car on the opposite side of the road is cutting across three lanes, and it’s not slowing down. It enters the median. In that instant, I realize its tires aren’t spinning. It’s sliding toward me with no signs of stopping.

It’s too wet to stop quickly. I can’t jerk the wheel too hard or I’ll start sliding, too. Time seems to stand still as visions of my parents, my brothers, my sister, and my best friends flash through my mind. I turn my wheel toward the oncoming car and lift my foot from the gas pedal. It’s my only hope.

I can’t stop my eyes from closing. I brace myself for impact.

It doesn’t come.

My eyes shoot open just as the car is finally slowing to a stop in the grass along the shoulder. And now I’m the one heading toward the median. Just as my tires hit the rumble strips, I turn my wheel back to the right and manage to get myself back into the center of my lane.

My whole body is shaking. My heart feels like it’s about to explode. But I’m safe.

Going a full ten miles per hour slower than I was before, I guide the car toward the exit ramp. To think, I could have died without ever getting one last cup of coffee and cinnamon raisin bagel from my favorite breakfast place in town. That would have been a true tragedy.

The rain is falling slower and in smaller drops as I make the few turns through our little downtown stretch. By the time I pull into the only open parking spot along the street, the sun is peeking through the clouds. Meg is always late, but maybe Jillian will be here. After one last deep breath to calm my nerves, I step out onto the sidewalk.

A truck is waiting at the light to my right and the road is clear to the left, so I hop into the street and walk toward the café entrance. To my relief, Jillian’s car is parked right in front. That means I won’t have to sit and awkwardly wait for everyone else to get here.

I hear the splash of a puddle behind me. The truck must be coming.

A horn blares and tires screech. I glance over my shoulder to see what’s going on.

The grill of an SUV fills my vision.

Impact.

My body erupts in pain and goes numb a moment later.

I catch one glimpse of the brick wall of the café as I hurtle through the air.

I don’t feel anything. The world goes black.

#

Present Day

The day starts like any other day. My alarm wakes me up at 6:00 a.m. After some light stretching to warm myself up, I go into the bathroom and start my morning routine.

End.