They were under the drawbridge waiting out the thunder claps and rain. The rain was intermittent, but the threat was immanent. The winds had picked up. That's what drove them under.
They huddled because space was limited. The four of them trapped in that moment. The jogger asked if anyone had the time. The pregnant lady, said, “ Two fifteen.”
He thanked her and asked when she was due. She rather reluctantly said “November…” and left it at that. The jogger sensed her unease and withdrew.
The homeless woman let out a moan. It was low and it was long. The other three stared at her, not knowing, or wanting, to approach her. She leaned against the wall for support.
"Ma’m? Are you alright?”, the Student asked.
“Just old, is all”, she muttered. “ Don't bother me…”
"Leave her be”, agreed the jogger.
"She needs help”, the pregnant woman said.
“ Let's at least make her comfortable…”, said the student.
“"Why?”, said the jogger, his impatience growing. He wanted to run!
The weather was growing worse, and there was nowhere to go. The student and pregnant lady gathered some of the bag lady’s bags and propped them up against the wall, then he laid an old blanket on the ground. The pregnant lady helped her bundle up, and the student eased her down upon it. She curled up tight and rocked for awhile, then went very still. The three watched her…breathless. Then she stirred, and they exhaled together. The relief! The student approached her to re-drape the coat, and gagged. The homeless woman had choked on her tongue, and was purple and blue.
“"This can’t be happening,” said the jogger, at the annoyance, “"Fuck! We re going to get hung up for hours! What did we do?! Goddamn self-righteous people. I say we walk away. I'll fuckin' run away! We weren't here!”
"Can't do it.”
”Me neither. “
"Go if you want. We were only three…it won't change the outcome.”
” No it won’t, will it? Sure you can live with that?”
“Can you?”
He didn't answer, he just turned and sprinted into the storm. Gone in no time.
He died sprinting across 5th. The driver, blinded by the swirling rain, had no time, nor chance to react. He got out and looked at the mangled mass, then got back in the car and left the scene.
Two hours later, on a treacherous stretch of highway, the storm finally behind him, he would hit an oil slick and skid into an abutment.
They say it happens " in three’s ”…
V
