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

“Watch out” I screamed. Why couldn’t he just watch the road and slow down at roundabouts

“For heavens sake Janet. Don’t scream. I thought I was about to kill someone” Jack said.

“I didn’t know if you saw that car coming.”

“Of course I saw that car coming.”

“I don’t know what you see.” I wondered why he just didn’t slow down knowing that I was nervous. I felt so tense my back was hurting and my heart hurt it was pumping so hard and fast in my chest.

“If you say anything else I’ll never get in a car with you again. I’m sick of it”

I sat there, pursed lipped. How can I be quiet when I’m so terrified. Doesn’t he realise that these situations only arise because he is so laissez-faire that I become really nervous. If I don’t say something I’ll have a heart attack. I don’t know what he sees. If we have an accident because he hasn’t seen something then I’ll be responsible if I’m not dead. I glanced at him. He had that stony look on his face that didn’t allow an approach. How long will it be this time she wondered.

The silence was building a wall between them.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

“Watch out” Janet screamed.

I looked about quickly, anxiously. Whats happening. Are we about to hit something. She must have been screaming at that car.

“For heavens sake Janet. Don’t scream. I thought I was about to kill someone” I said.

“I didn’t know if you saw that car coming.”

“Of course I saw that car coming.”

“I don’t know what you see.” Janet said.

She looks pale. Why is she so nervous in the car. It must be because she’s seen things working in intensive care but she’s going to kill me. She gets my adrenaline pumping thinking I’m about to hit something or someone.

“If you say anything else I’ll never get in a car with you again. I’m sick of it”

Try not to be angry.  I am angry. I’m bloody angry. She’s going to kill me. I don’t want to be in a car with her. I stare ahead. I’m not going to talk to her. She’s going to learn not to open her mouth in the car.

The silence was building a wall between them

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

“Watch out” Janet screamed. Her scream roused me from my doze.

“For heavens sake Janet. Don’t scream. I thought I was about to kill someone” Jack said.

“I didn’t know if you saw that car coming.”

“Of course I saw that car coming.”

“I don’t know what you see.”

“If you say anything else I’ll never get in a car with you again. I’m sick of it” Jack said.

Why can’t they both see the others point of view. I wonder what actually happened. Janet’s too nervous but Jack could make it easier for her and for him if only he would drive a little slower and have less of a relaxed manner when he’s driving. It would be so much easier for both of them. I’m not saying anything. Hopefully they’ll think I’m still asleep. I wonder how long it will be before they’re talking to each other this time.

If only they’d realise that the silence was building a wall between them.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/01/27/writing-challenge-shoes/

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