Page 14 of Island Protector

Molly’s ears were ringing and though it hurt to move, she twisted around to check on Bryce. His car seat was out of position, hanging loosely instead of being pressed securely into the backseat. The harness held him in, but he had been tossed against the front seats.

She could see him crying, tears streaming down his face. Eventually, the sound cut through the shock reverberating in her own ears.

“Baby! Bryce! Honey, are you okay?” He kept sobbing. “Sharon?” Her aunt was there, face white, hands pressed to the dash.

“I’m good,” she said.

“Bryce,” Molly stretched, trying to reach her son. “Take a breath, honey. Tell me where it hurts.”

He cried harder.

“I’m calling 911.” Sharon had her phone in shaking hands.

Molly glanced around but she couldn’t see her purse or phone. “Are you hurt?”

“Rattled aboutsome. I’m fine.”

Molly hoped it was true.

“Where’s the other car?” She looked around for the vehicle that struck them. “Did you see anything? Where’s the other driver?”

“All I saw was a blur of blue. Dark blue,” Sharon said. Then she was giving information to the emergency operator. “Maybe a truck,” she said. “I don’t see it now.”

Her car would’ve been no match for a pickup at speed. “I’ve got to get Bryce.”

Sharon stopped her. “Be still. You’re bleeding.”

She hadn’t noticed. “But Bryce.” Her son needed her. He was close enough she should be able to reach him. Twisting again, she gasped at the sudden pain radiating along her side.

Sharon continued relaying information to the 911 operator.

Molly thought she heard sirens in the distance. She struggled to release her seat belt so she could check on her son.

“Molly, hold still,” Sharon snapped. “Help will be here shortly.”

Bryce continued to cry and she couldn’t bear it. She had to get to him. Make sure he was all right. She managed to twist her arm around so she could lay a hand on his head. His hair felt soft and silky under her palm, and she couldn’t feel any injuries. “Sweetie, momma’s here. Auntie Sharon too. Take a breath, baby. We’re okay.”

His crying eased, the volume dropping. “I want out.” He sniffled. “Want out of here, Mommy.”

“I know, sweetheart. I know.” Were the sirens getting closer? “We’ll get out in just a minute. Do you hear the sirens?” Another sniff. “Helpers are coming. We’re going to let the experts get you out. We’ve gotta be safe. Just breathe,” she said again as he whimpered. “Does anything hurt?”

He sniffled again. “I dunno. I dropped my truck.” More tears flowed. “I can’t see it. It was myfavorite.”

“We’ll find it.” Well versed in how often his favorites changed, Molly was far more worried for her son than the truck. Physically injured or not, this experience could leave him with serious fears.

“I want out, Mommy.” She felt him shifting, heard him scrabbling at the buckle as he tried to free himself from the booster seat.

“Not so fast,” Sharon said.

“You’ve gotta wait,” Molly added. “It’s like a life jacket,” she said, suddenly inspired. “If we had an accident on a boat, you wouldn’t undo your life jacket until the helpers arrived, right?”

Time and again, Miles had drilled the importance of water safety into her son.

She felt Bryce go still. “Right. This is like a life jacket?”

“Pretty close.” Another wave of pain rolled through her and she winced.

“That’s right,” Sharon took over. “We’re having a small emergency. And that booster seat is like your life jacket in the car.”

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