by S A Ison
He drank, then staggered over to the medicine aisle. He got a box of pain relievers and carefully opened the box and bottle, mindful of his fingers. He gulped down three tablets with water. Then he stood, panting. Looking around, he went to the register and yanked up several plastic bags. He then went over and started putting food into the bags.
Returning to the refrigerators, he picked out several sports drinks to help replace what he had vomited.
He felt his gut twist and wanted to vomit again. He went back to the medicine aisle and got a bottle of pink Pepto. He breathed heavily, his heart thumping wildly in his chest.
He had to get home. He had to get back to Christy and the boys. With several bags of food and medicine, as well as drinks, Harley left the store. His legs felt like rubber. He stopped in front of the glass window and saw his reflection. His hair wild, he had blood all down his face and his shirt. He looked like something out of a horror movie.
He saw a body up by the edge of the building. He didn’t go near it. He didn’t want to see. Tears fell down his face and he put one unsteady foot in front of the other. I have to get home, I have to get home. I can’t leave Christy and the boys. They’ll never know what happened to me. I have to be with them, I have to see my babies.
He was far from home and didn’t know how long it would take him, but he knew he had to get there. There was no question. He couldn’t let this end him. He couldn’t let this stop him from being with his family. He only prayed that they were alive and okay. Please God, let them be okay.