October - the month Adrianna de Reinaldo Cruz Richards was looking forward to - approached.
On the 17th she was turning twenty nine and was very glad her principal had given her two weeks unpaid vacation, because her parents and sister were going to visit her. It had taken them a long time to get a visa. Adrianna was Brazilian and had met her American husband Samuel Richards in Sao Paulo. It had been her wish to study in the US like her father. Adrianna was overjoyed, when her application at the University of Florida, Miami, had been accepted. She majored in English Literature. Adrianna was glad her husband was a writer, so he was mobile. His first novel had been a moderate success, the next book - a short story collection had been a bestseller, followed by the mega hit of the Corrigan Saga. There had been also a complete flop, a thriller. It was a disappointment for Sam, who had invested a lot of research and time into the project. Adrianna tried to comfort him by saying people connected him more with romance and the Corrigan’s than a thriller. Even if Sam pretended it was okay, Adrianna knew he was still hurting. Well, anyway the position Adrianna was offered was at a public school in Portland, Maine. It was a smaller town and blue collar, but a renaissance had started, and it was a foodie's heaven. Good cuisine was very important for Adrianna and Sam.
They had built a good life. Adrianna loved to teach. In Sam's and Adrianna's free time they worked in a homeless shelter and provided after school tuition to underprivileged kids for free.
When Adrianna's birthday arrived, she threw a big party, inviting all her neighbors, friends, work colleagues and of course her family.
Sam and she prepared American and Brazilian favorites. The party was a success.
Of course Sam, Adrianna, her parents Roger and Maria Isadora and her younger sister Luizia went exploring the area on their days off. They had already seen the old port and visited a few micro breweries and some of the many excellent restaurants.
Adrianna thought something was wrong with her, because she noticed she felt slightly sick, when waking up and couldn't stomach any food until midday, then she was ravenous. She planned to check it out with her doctor, shouldn’t the symptoms vanish within the next few days, but before she had to take care of her family.
Sam had a meeting with his publisher, so Adrianna, Roger, Maria Isadora and Luizia went alone along the coast, had a picnic by the sea and a visit to a picturesque historic light house.
Adrianna decided to take the more scenic route home. It was a winding road, and it was getting dark. They were talking and laughing about the last few days, when suddenly a SUV was on their side of the road. Adrianna tried to avoid a collision, but it was too late. The SUV ploughed head on into their Scion, pushing the car into the ditch. There was smoke coming out of the motor hood. Adrianna felt an excruciating pain and was suddenly outside her body. She saw the completely destroyed car, her mother unconscious beside her own body, and Luizia and her father climbing through the broken windows at the back of the car. She was sad, knowing she was dead, and that she couldn't spend more time with her beloved ones. Suddenly Adrianna felt peaceful. There was a tunnel and a light at the end of it. She was drawn to it, said a last unheard good bye and turned towards eternity.
Watch out how the accident and Adrianna's death is going to impact the rest of the family.
©2011
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