The keys still shook next to the steering wheel. The tires had screeched loudly and the seatbelt had tightened instantly. Both hands were still gripping the steering wheel, "what have I done?"
Brooke's body laid limp on the ground. She laid on her side with her purse strap still on her shoulder. The two bags she'd held were sprawled on the ground next to her.
"Broooooke!" Edmund and Tad called out in unison as they ran out to the driveway. They both stopped short as they saw Brooke's S-shaped body toward the end of the cobblestone walk lying still. Jamie followed slowly behind.
The panic and shock had gotten the best of him. "Brooke, wake up honey, wake up!" Edmund quickly kneeled on one side of Brooke and Tad on the other. Both men eagerly tried to get her to open her eyes. "Brooke, can you hear me? Open your eyes honey!"
"Jamie, what happened? Tad looked at his son, and back at Brooke trying to remove the strap of Brooke's purse from her shoulder.
"Careful Tad! We don't know where she is hurt." Edmund held her close to his body.
"Exactly Edmund, every reason NOT to cradle her." Tad shoved the bags she'd been carrying out of the way.
"She is shivering Tad! She is freezing. What the hell happened Jamie?! JAMIE!!! Oh, for goodness sakes. Could someone please call an ambulance?!"
"Brooke! Wake up. Wake up. Please wake up!" Edmund continued to rub her hands hoping to warm them up. He removed the strands of hair off her forehead.
Jamie did not speak or move. He stared at his mother lying on the ground completely unmoved. Tad struggled to get his cell phone out of his jacket.
"Don't bother calling. The ambulance is on its way," Maria struggled to get the words out. She stood near the curb hugging herself. She shivered as she spoke. The tears streamed down her face. Edmund squinted as he confirmed that voice was Maria's.
"What are you..." Jamie slowly turned to face Maria (almost in slow-motion) and started walking toward her with long, confident strides. He walked straight into her with his arms extended pushing her to the ground. "YOU KILLED MY MOTHER! YOU KILLED MY MOTHER!" Both hands gripped the lapel of her jacket firmly. "I hate you. I hate you!"
"Jamie, what are you talking about!" Tad quickly got off his knees and ran over to Jamie. He grabbed his son by the waist and pulled him away from Maria.
Maria stood stiff with her cell phone still in her hand. "I'm so sorry."
Tad and Edmund looked at Maria in dismay. "Sorry?? Did I hear you correctly? Sorry for what?" Tad eagerly awaited her response.
"What are you doing? Were you following me? How? What?" Edmund could hear the sirens coming closer. .
"Help my mom, please! Please!" Jamie called to the first of the three EMTs as they came out of their vehicle. He tried to release himself from his father's grip but Tad held him tighter.
Three emergency medical technicians rushed to Brooke's side. "Please sir, step away" one told Edmund. The other turned to Maria, "are you okay?" She slowly nodded. "What happened here? My, this is Brooke English," one of the two gentlemen said trying to slowly roll her onto her back.
"This is NO time for "Name that Magazine Editor" mister. Help her! Never mind!" Edmund brushed the two gentlemen aside and tried to reach for her hand.
"SIR PLEASE, let us do our job!"
"Help her! Please, help her", Edmund's words faded into a whisper. "I need her."