Another White Cross by The Side of the Road

“Look, mommy, there's another".

“I see sweetheart, that makes three.” 

“Why are there so many? Why are they always near a tree?” 
“They are not always near a tree little one sometimes they are at a corner or near the center of the road.” 
“Why are they there mommy? Are they for sale?” 
“No baby they are not for sale they are white crosses that are used to mark a spot." 
"What spot is that mommy?” 
“The spot where somebody died whose car had crashed." 
“I don’t ever want to die in a car crash mommy. I want to live to be big like you and daddy.” 
“You will sweetheart and when you learn to drive make sure you drive safely, OK?” 
“OK, mommy, I promise.” 

As the eighteen wheeler barreled past she was startled back to reality. When her husband finished his hammering he stepped back and with a crackle in his voice said, “There, it should stay put now.” He placed his arm around his wife and helped her back to their car. He then placed her crutches on the back seat. As they pulled away from the curb she looked back with tears in her eyes at another white cross by the side of the road.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and even with the crosses there, so many ignore and still drive so recklessly----
the unfortunate thing is that many of the crosses represent the innocents...and those who cause the accidents often are the survivors.
a very moving write.
j.

[Delmar Cooper]

Clever piece of writing. Did you write this for a contest or perhaps an assignment?

[Peter]

Delmar Cooper this came to me during a long drive back from Kentucky. I couldn't help but notice a lot of white crosses along the road.

[Delmar Cooper]

Yeah, when I was a boy you'd find a cluster of those at every bend of two lane blacktop, especially those bends on either side of a honkey tonk.