The Crash

by Freida McFadden

I’ve never killed anyone before. I’m not a murderer. I’m a good person. I don’t lie. I don’t cheat. I don’t steal. I hardly ever even raise my voice. There are very few things I’ve done in my life that I’m ashamed of. Yet here I am.

“If you light a candle before you chop onions, it burns off the toxins so your eyes don’t water.”

The kitchen shears jab me slightly against my thigh, and I shiver, thinking about an alternate reality where I went through with my misguided plan. In that reality, I would either be dead or on my way to prison right now instead of riding home in a warm truck with my husband. I’m glad I’m living in this reality.

I’ve spent so many years of my life focusing on the child I wanted so badly. But Hank is my family, and he’s given me more love than I would have gotten from a dozen kids. It took almost losing everything to realize how blessed I am.

Sometimes you don't realize that what you have is what you've always wanted

I finally see the wisdom in my mother’s words.

You know you’ve got someone really special when they are able to save you from ruining your own life.