Crashing through the Windshield

Elizabeth Edwards sat in the white, wrought-iron chair outside of Clementine’s Creamery watching her two charges, Will and Emma Jurlik, jostle each other for the best position on the adjacent bench. Will, a big-for-his-age, five-year-old, was loudly protesting Emma’s coveted spot near the empty chair. Emma, a quiet ten-year-old, sat like a stone statue with arms crossed and eyes staring straight ahead. Elizabeth met these children for the first time less than four hours ago. They are ignoring her. The orange pink of the setting sun on the far horizon gave hope to the end of a wretchedly sweltering day and momentarily soothed her uneasiness. She mused that this day had not played out as she anticipated. She thought that when Gloriann picked her up from the train station, they would spend a relaxing evening at home getting to know each other. But Gloriann had other plans — a picnic supper in Lafayette Park, a walk around the swan pond and fountain, time at the playground, then a quick jaunt to get “the best ice cream ever” at Clementine’s. The early evening held on to the day’s heat. Temps had hit 91 degrees, and although some relief came with the mellowing shades of darkness, Elizabeth was still uncomfortable. “I want to sit there Emma! It’s my turn to sit next to Mommy. It’s no fair,” wailed Will. “Will, your mother will be out in a minute,” Elizabeth said as she got up to look through the shop window. Clementine’s was crowded, but Elizabeth could see everyone waiting in the small store, and Gloriann wasn’t among them. She looked for the stroller with the sleeping Martin but didn’t see that either. “Okay kiddos, let’s go and help your mother with the ice cream.” Once inside, Elizabeth made her way to the counter and asked if a woman with a baby had ordered ice cream. Before the gal at the counter could answer, someone pointed to a side door and said, “She went out to the patio.” Will and Emma ran out the door with a relieved Elizabeth following close behind. Several couples were sitting in the horseshoe of park benches, a family of four had claimed the only patio table. “Where’s Mommy?” Will asked as he scanned the people. Elizabeth approached the family, “Excuse me, have you seen a woman with a baby in a stroller?” “Ah, yeah. She left,” the man said pointing at the gate which led out to the street. Emma, Will, and Elizabeth walked out, stood on the sidewalk, and looked in each direction. Gloriann was not in sight. They walked around the wood fence which enclosed the patio and eyeballed the adjoining parking lot. There were only two cars and just a few empty spaces. Since the parking lot was adjacent to an alley, Emma bolted ahead to see if her mother was hidden by the nearest garage. As Elizabeth and Will caught up to her, she turned to face them, alarm overtaking her face. “Don’t worry. Your mother must be around here. I’ll call her. She has got to be here someplace,” Elizabeth said fumbling for her cell phone. When Gloriann didn’t answer, Elizabeth swallowed down her panic, and began to search the phone for walking directions back to the house. She really did not know where she was in relation to Gloriann’s house, or if they would have to walk back through the now-dark park. Then Will sat down on the ground and curled up in a ball; Emma stood ramrod straight, tears rolling down her cheeks; a befuddled Elizabeth called 911.