Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist)

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

This afternoon I headed around the corner from where I lived to take my skywatch Friday photo down at the lake. As I went past this house, which has always reminded me of Gone With the Wind, I saw these kangaroos grazing on the front lawn. Never one to let a photo opportunity pass I snapped oodles of these relaxed happy animals marvelling that this is suburbia, not a zoo and within easy walking distance from where I live. How lucky can I be?

On arrival home I see Charli’s prompt and have to substitute deer for kangaroo. I know nothing of her four legged creatures but I do know kangaroos and I know if you hit one when driving the damage is equal to that a deer may cause. Kangaroos have a technique to save themselves that unfortunately doesn’t work with cars. They will initially run away from the car but then double back quickly and jump in front of the car. They figure that other animals can’t turn and run in the other direction with any speed, so they get the animal chasing them in the first direction and then a quick turn and off.

The kangaroo ran. It turned. The thud followed by a tumbling sound under the car left me fearful that it was dead. It lay very still on the road. Our earlier gaiety gone as we made our way to the stricken animal. It was alive but barely. Blood ran from one nostril. We rolled it onto a blanket and lifted it into the car. The vet lived over the hill. There may be a chance.

The stunned kangaroo panicked and stood on the back seat towering over us. Afraid, we vowed never again if there was a next time.

In response to Charli’s 99 word flash fiction challenge where she invites:

This week’s challenge is two-fold:

1. August 5, 2015 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write the common premise: “I ran over a deer (or other animal) and have decided to nurse it back to health.”
2. But before you write, daydream. Do something out of your normal routine for 10 minutes. Go outside, sit and stare into space. Rest in a meditative yoga pose. Lock yourself in the bathroom. Mow the lawn, or do the dishes. Let your mind wander to the story and daydream before you write it.