Crash Course
January 4th, 2021
Starring: Mother (female, 55-70), Child (late 20’s)
Rush hour. The shoulder off a four lane highway. Child stands outside their car, with a noticeably indented back fender. Cars speed by. The hazard lights blink on and off.
Child dials.
Mother picks up from the garage, in the middle of inflating a bike tire:
CHILD
Mother?
MOTHER
Child?
CHILD
Hey sorry to bother you.
I’m totally fine but—
MOTHER
How bad?
CHILD
Is what?
MOTHER
Were you in a car accident?
CHILD
...how did you know?
MOTHER
You prefaced with “I’m fine.” Educated guess.
So how bad?
CHILD
It’s driveable, but the back’s pretty smushed.
MOTHER
They hit you?
CHILD
Yeah. I mean I braked pretty abruptly—
MOTHER
Nix that from memory. They hit you, there’s the culpability.
Was your dash cam on?
CHILD
No it was not.
MOTHER
I sent you one specifically for this moment—
CHILD
I know, I’ve been using it. I just didn’t have it with me.
MOTHER
...why am I having problems understanding?
CHILD
I’m not in my car right now.
I’m in a rental.
Because mine’s in the shop.
Because I got into another accident last weekend.
Where I hit the person.
And that’s recorded on the dash cam.
But I figured I wouldn’t tell you about it during your biking trip, or maybe at all.
Because I’m 29 and should be able to handle this on my own.
…
MOTHER
Understanding problems solved.
…
Do you need me to call the repair shop? The rental car place?
CHILD
No. Nonono. I’m fine. Really, I’m fine. I just wanted to hear your voice.
…
MOTHER
Well I’m sorry. I wish I could be there.
CHILD
No I’m sorry. It’s probably better that—like I feel like
This week’s just been a crash course on how much I took you for granted. Like, making all my lunches and scheduling appointments and handling everything for the first 20something years of my life. That was pretty screwed up of me.
MOTHER
That’s not on you. I let it happen, and it screwed you up.
CHILD
So we both agree I’m a screw-up.
MOTHER
Only so far as you’ve screwed up. Same goes for me, same goes for everyone.
...
Could you send me pictures of the damage? For both?
CHILD
I will.
MOTHER
And text me when you get home.
Please.
CHILD
Ok.
…
MOTHER
I’m just glad you’re fine.
CHILD
Yeah. I will be.
...
Love you.
MOTHER
Always.
The call ends. Child takes one more look at the car. There’s an upswell of emotion, but they’re able to push it down with a deep breath. Child waits until there’s no cars coming, then slips back in the driver’s seat. The hazards shut off, and they pull away.