The day was clear as I pulled onto the parking lot of my favorite grocery store. I parked on the side of the building away from traffic and the comings and goings of other customers as I reached for my coupon holder and began calmly sorting them before going inside. I’ve made this a practice for at least 40 years, never taking into mind the effects it could have on my personal safety. As I engaged myself in my couponing, I noticed a man and woman a bit disheveled and out of place approaching shoppers in the parking lot as they left the store. The shoppers paid no attention to them as they walked hurriedly to their cars.
Not thinking anything of it, although without much fanfare my internal warning system calmly alerted me, but I dutifully went back to sorting my coupons. It didn’t take long before the strangers were at my driver’s door. As I tried processing what was occurring, a gun appeared which the male used to motion for me to unlock my doors. All those personal safety tips for women rushed at me all at once, but none seemed to apply at the moment. I unlocked the doors, my mind fighting to grasp the meaning of the stranger’s request. The man entered the back seat of my car and the woman sat beside me in the passenger seat. The male gruffly demanded me to drive out of the parking lot, away from my favorite store, away from the neighborhood I loved, away from those I held dear and away to my almost certain demise.
What was happening? My heart pounding in my chest as my mind raced to make sense of it all as I realized, I am a prisoner in my own car! Why, this couldn’t be, this only happens to the thoughtless I’ve watched tell their stories on Oprah. The experts have always said to fight your captors so your are not taken to a second location. Because of where I was parked, my would be witnesses were oblivious to my companions as they went about their way while their day continued as nothing out of the ordinary.
At some point, I was told to stop my car and get out. One of the strangers bound my hands with a belt and my mouth with duct tape. I was then forced inside the trunk of my car. I was so scared, as I lay inside trying to control my breathing as I realized that my life as I knew it no longer belonged to me.
I reluctantly acknowledged these strangers, these people, my fellow human beings who would have the last say on my life continuing today, tomorrow, right now. The recognition, acceptance and making peace with my God caused me to let out a soft muffled whimper as I felt my eyes began to sting as they filled with tears. Somehow I knew my undisclosed destination would not be my chosen resting place.
The drive seemed like an eternity, as I thought about many things. Is it possible someone would intervene? Could it be possible that I will live through this ordeal? My family gave me grandchildren which I adore, but as each passing second slipped away somehow I knew I will never see them again. The last moments of my life found me not focusing on the whim of the strangers, but of my family and friends. Gone are the days of anxiously waiting for the next time to be with them.
Today would be my last. No more of Oprah’s favorite things, my book club or celebrated birthdays. I wish I could rewind back to my chance meeting with these strangers. I question myself, “What could I have done differently?" That time is gone now without another opportunity to rectify our unlikely union.
I am suddenly wrestled from the trunk of my car. I can’t stand and I crumple like clothing to a sitting position as the strangers discuss how they are going to do it. . . I sigh deeply as the impending end draws near. This is my last chance, my personal safety is only mine now to own. I hear the strangers as they ready themselves to act their part as my life's story now unfolds. As I despondently lie frozen on the ground, my loved ones faces appear before me like a makeshift collage, my memories, my last moments with them counted down in flashbacks as they unknowingly comfort and accompany me for the last time . . .
Photographs used with permission by owner: Pick’ n save: areelio on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97075887@N00/1394173007/ - Two people: Patanne on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/patanne/1619554229/ - Woods: arvid.theline on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/25646382@N08/
