Mrs Bell - Both Audio and Text

This piece demonstrates how lasting the bond can be that often develops between young children and their schoolteachers. She pulled out right in front of me that cold December morn. I barely had a chance to hit the brake. The other lane was full, and with a guardrail on my right, there simply was no other path to take. Even though I locked ‘em up, I hit her really hard, and shoved her big old Hudson forty feet. So, there we sat, in crumpled cars, and scattered broken glass; a pair of mangled autos on the street! I was not at fault in this, and I had clearly seen the woman in the vehicle was old. In my opinion, far too old to drive a car at all, and, mad as hell, I burst into the cold. Not at all concerned at first about her being hurt, I stormed up to her door to blow my top, But when I saw her slumped against the wheel, I felt a chill, and grabbed my mobile phone to call a cop. After dialing nine-one-one, the operator asked, “Will you need an ambulance or not?” After answering, “I don’t know. I think she might be hurt. A bruise and tiny cut is all I got,” She began to quiz me. “Can you tell if she is breathing?” I told her I would check, and reached inside. And when I saw how still she was…how vulnerable, and frail, I quickly said a prayer she hadn’t died. Humbled by the helplessness of someone badly hurt - my wild, vindictive anger changed to calm. And when I carefully leaned her back and gently took her hand - a dainty hand that barely filled my palm - Her face would spark the warmest thoughts of days so long ago. Despite the many years…I knew it well. The face I saw was that of someone from my distant past: My kindergarten teacher… Mrs. Bell. When I saw the powdered cheeks and deeply wrinkled skin, I lost all track of how the wreck occurred. I didn’t care about my car, but only how she was…and prayed another prayer for but a word. “Mrs. Bell, it’s Randy. And you’re going to be alright,” I promised her, while searching for a sign. “Everything will be OK. I’m right here by your side." And as I held her tiny hand in mine, I pleaded with the lady, “Send an ambulance at once. She’s breathing, but unconscious. Hurry, please!” Then started praying desperately they’d make it there in time, and slid in close beside her on my knees. At last I felt a gentle squeeze…so soft…but it was there! My tears would fall to know she was alive. Then waited for what seemed to be at least a hundred years ‘til, fin'ly, paramedics would arrive. Neither car was drivable, so I called work - and home - to tell them of the wreck, and where I’d be. I told my wife I wasn’t hurt…but I was riding in to have a doctor take a look at me, Then added that I’d likely not be home for quite a while, ‘cause I was going to wait ‘til I was sure That Mrs. Bell would be OK. I simply had to know…and would the family say a prayer for her. Seven hours later, they would let me in to see the lady from my past I so admired. The first thing that she softly said to me was, “Randy, dear…I’m really glad you’re here…but you look tired. “I’m so very sorry that I pulled in front of you. They told me that your car was actually new. Thank the Lord that you’re alright. You were the sweetest child I ever taught. I don’t know what I’d do “If I had I hurt my Randy. But I didn’t. So you see…despite the wreck…it’s still a lucky day! The doctor says that I’ll be fine. It’s time that you went home…I know that it was love that made you stay.” Tears would fill my eyes as she reached out to take my hand. I told her, “In a kind of funny way - Like so many lessons that you taught me as a child -- you’ve taught me still another one today! “Cars can usually be repaired - and new ones bought again - but after this, I very clearly see… That no one getting hurt too bad - and knowing you’re OK - are all that really matters now - to me.” PS: I've now got 4 new Audio-CDs - @ 4 1/2 hours each = (62 diversely varied pieces). They’re listed on EBAY - under - “Mark Stellinga Poetry” - or available by simply contacting me at -- mark@writerofbooks.com -- should those of you who enjoy listening to poems as well as reading them - and particularly those of you that travel - care to be so entertained. (We use safe and simple - PayPal) Cheers, Mark