Not So Done by Charles Levin

Author:Charles Levin [Levin, Charles]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781735210810
Publisher: Munn Avenue Press
Published: 2020-07-23T23:00:00+00:00

“Sam, how are you? I’ve been worried,” Monica says

My eyes water as I look at her radiant smile on my phone. “I’m glad. Oh, I don’t mean I’m glad that you’re worried. I just mean, I’m glad you still care enough to worry. I’m OK. In D.C. in a rental car with Renata. We’re on our way to the hospital to see you and Evan. Then we have to go check something out.”

“Of course, I care. I always will. But we checked out of the hospital a couple of hours ago. We’re at the airport, heading home. I just can’t risk Evan’s safety for your adventures.”

“I wouldn’t call them adventures.”

“Then I don’t know what they are. I mean, what are you trying to prove? Why can’t you stay home and go to work like a normal person?”

“Maybe because, for the first time in my life, I feel like I’m making a difference. I mean going to work, building stuff for clients, and making money are all good. Don’t get me wrong. But protecting millions of people from death and disaster is really making a difference. I know it’s risky, but it feels right.”

“So you’re making a choice – your family or your adventure.”

“As I said before, when this is over, I’m done. I’ll come home if you’ll still have me. As Frank would say, I’m exercising counterfactual regret minimization.”

“What the heck is that?”

“It means I know I screwed up and I’m learning from my mistakes. How long until your flight? Can I come see you at the airport?”

“They’ve started boarding. There’s not enough time.”

“Can I come home this weekend to spend a little time with Evan... and maybe you?”

“You’re still sleeping on the couch.”

“I under —”

Renata is driving us through the intersection at D Street NW and 7th Street. Suddenly, a garbage truck runs a red light, slamming full speed into the driver’s side of our car. Glass and shrapnel fly in all directions. The truck driver gets out and flees down the nearby metro station stairs. Renata lies unconscious. Her head, bleeding from her mouth and eyes, rests on my lap. The smell of gasoline invades the car. I feel like I’m a feather floating. My body seems to drift upwards through the roof of the car. I’m circling above, a drone’s eye view of a horrible accident scene. Sirens wail in the distance, growing louder. Then nothing.

“Sam. Sam! Are you there? What’s happening? Answer me...” Monica shouts.

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