Close Call

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July 29, 2023

~9th Place~ Relativity - Time - A Vignette Poetry Contest sponsored by Suzette Richards -Thank you, Suzette!

The sponsor required the following after the poem's title, either an "A" for American English or "B" for British English. I deleted the letter “A” after the contest.

Image by Mark Toney using Canva Pro

Close Call

My wife and I enter a restaurant across the street from the airport, our kids in tow. There is quite a crowd with little room to maneuver. Our name goes on the waitlist. Ugh. Carol and I are taking turns holding our 2-month-old son while the other holds the hand of our 3-year-old. As I take the baby my wife realizes Daniel isn’t there. She frantically scans the area and sees an older man leading Daniel by the hand toward the exit. Quick to respond, Carol runs toward them, repeatedly shouting, “Daniel, stop!” Daniel turns and the man releases his hand and exits as my wife scoops Daniel into her arms. I am a beat behind. We experience a flood of emotions. They call out our name. Our table is ready.

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Suzette Richards

Date: 8/6/2023 1:27:00 AM

The setting and atmosphere are spot on. Thank you for entering my contest, Relativity/Time – congratulations on your placement Mark.

Mark Toney
Date: 8/6/2023 9:38:00 AM

Thank you for your brilliant contest, Suzette. I’m glad I responded to your encouragement to step out of our comfort zone to write something different.

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 8/5/2023 1:05:00 PM

WOW!!! What a write/story/picture/happy ending. You were blessed all was OK. Good Luck... Have a great day..............

Mark Toney
Date: 8/5/2023 8:48:00 PM

Thank you for your nice comment, Paula. We were blessed. You have a nice weekend too.

Deb M

Date: 7/29/2023 7:34:00 PM

….Oh my goodness how very frightening Mark and such a close call! I bet you never let Daniel out of sight after that ! Unbelievable and so brazen….!lm so glad the outcome for you and your lovely family was a positive one…. Some are not so lucky….So sad and unfair……Denbx

Mark Toney
Date: 7/29/2023 8:03:00 PM

Scary indeed, Deb. We didn't think as much about child abduction back then, but obviously, the threat was real. You're right; we never let either of them out of our sight after that.