KEELEY’S JUNE 30-DAY CHALLENGE

One Reason to Stay Off Your Cell Phone

I had important things to do.

Hit not once, but twice while she talked on her cell phone — Author’s Photo.

Day Three prompt: Have you ever been in a car accident?

What would you tell a loved one you were in a car accident if you didn’t want them to panic? How would you share the news with them to reduce a hot-headed response?

Years ago, I faced this decision when my daughter invited me to her wedding shower. That morning I woke early to shop for ingredients after offering to bring a vegetable quiche. I’m no professional chef, but my basic quiche recipe wasn’t hard. The sun was shining; nothing could damper my day. At the supermarket, I browsed and laughed with strangers before buying the edible supplies. Life was good.

I drove the short five minutes home. Next, I worked my way down the short street to my apartment building and turned the corner toward the garage when I heard an engine revving. I stopped my car midway in the driveway when suddenly a minivan raced up the ramp, smacking the front left of my car. She spun me around and crashed into my left door, pinning me inside. I sat frazzled but unhurt.

I opened my window as the driver hopped outside and checked my safety. Shaky, I sat in my seat and called my husband, knowing full well he’d race to my…