Santiago and Lily

Booking it like a madman down I-10,

Pulling a full load from El Paso to Houston

When a message pops up on Santiago’s phone

“Call Mom, there’s been an accident.”

And with heartstopping instant reflexes,

Santiago pulls his rig over and calls.

“Lily’s been hurt, get home as fast as you can.”

Was all he heard

Lily, his brand new 28 year old bride of two years

Santiago’s foot hit the metal and

He was flying low on the straight desert road toward Houston and home

Lily … Hit and run by a distracted driver

While walking the dog

Then left on the side of the road

To die like roadkill

Her body broken, bloodied and shattered into so many pieces,

Lily was holding the angels at bay as best as she could

Waiting for Santiago

But time was running out

And the miles between them seemed never endless

Santiago arrived in time to crawl into the emergency room bed with Lily

It was too late to do anything but say good-bye

His soul and heart shattered by the emptiness

That was impossible to process

And he held her broken body in his arms and covered her with love

He kissed her gently one last time as she slipped away

Never given the chance to have children, Santiago and Lily thought they had forever, and they should have

So Santiago now travels the nation’s roads in his rig

With their three cats who keep him connected to what he used to be

And sometimes at night before he falls asleep

He feels what feels like feathers caressing him and running up and down his arms

And the goosebumps rise where he was touched

And he knows she is there and waiting for him

Waiting to bring him home

Where he wants to be more than anything.

So now he is just biding time.

So grateful for those feathery touches

As he clutches her pillow to his chest

And cries.

And cries.

And cries.

And prays for the goosebumps to come back.

- Julie O'Hara

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