A Mishap

 

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain - Dolly Parton.

   ~***~

The rain fell heavily, making the car sound as if someone was throwing gravel on top of the car. The road was fully covered in snow, the path also was filled with fog and the headlights of the car were hardly any help to see. Slowly and steadily she drove in order not to skid off the wet and slippery road. 

A Christmas song began playing and she turned the radio up to a steady tune in order not to be distracted while listening to the song. Amber was buckled in the backseat fast asleep with a thick plaid wool blanket to sheet her from the cold.  Completely forgetting that her journey was going to be long and nightfall was near, she made no effort to buy snacks at the airport cafeteria, and thoughts of a hungry and moody Amber waking anytime soon caused her to pull over at a nearby gas station to get some snacks, a cup of coffee and hopefully they have power banks. 

Checking her fuel tank she decided to fill up on gas and bought extra just in case. She was driving for almost an hour and a half and this is the only gas station she came across. The road was a highway with not so many buildings and the few she passed were already closed; either due to bad weather or they were out for the holidays.

Only God knows. But she knows for a fact that she won’t get stranded on the lonesome main road because of gas.

The gas pumpers could seem to be clothed in three different layers of clothing to keep them warm.  “Good night,” Reign said, greeting the slim-built black lady that approached her as her car came to a stop in the midsection. 

“Goodnight,” She replied with a warm smile.

“Fill it up for me please,” Reign said to her as she got out of the car.  “Can I ask a favor of you?

“It all depends on the favor ma’am,” The lady answers while doing her work.

“If it isn’t a bother. I want to grab a few snacks, use the bathroom and buy some necessities. Can you watch my daughter for a few minutes until I’m back?” Reign asked with pleading eyes gesturing to a sleeping Amber in the back of the minivan. 

“Alright, but make it quick,” she answered and Reign sprinted inside.

Reign bought several chips, canned sausages, water, juice for Amber and herself, energy drinks, a walk and charge, and other necessities she had in mind. 

As she was about to leave she remembered that Amber would possibly wake in the middle of the night and request to use the bathroom. Trying to avoid getting out of her car on a lonely highway where there are many possibilities that she can be hijacked, the wind is too cold for Amber, and an accident. Reign decided to wake Amber from her sleep, give her a quick tidy in the bathroom, let her use the restroom, and buy pampers just in case anything happens before she reaches her destination.

After spending a good amount of time at the gas station she finally left and headed back on the cold, isolated road. Hoping to reach her journey without making any wrong turns.

Amber was now fully awake, her tablet was now recharged and there she sat quietly watching cartoons and eating her snack. 

   ~***~

Reign shrieked and jammed the brakes when two reindeers leaped across the road causing her to lose control of the car. The reindeers continued to leap and went straight into the woods.  She was still trying to get control of her car but the road was beyond slippery and she ended up off the road, into the woods, and going down a snowy slope. Bumping and crashing against trees and rocks. 

She looked back at Amber, who at any moment was about to start crying with fright and fear.

“Lay back honey. Do not lean forward,” Reign said to her hoping Amber doesn’t start crying and demanded to be held by her.

“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” Reign yelled, jamming the brakes that were now stuck. “Amber, baby, Please ignore the words mommy just said.”

Finally, after what seemed to be forever the car didn’t land on the side or top but it came to a stop, thankfully. Sadly, the car couldn’t start. Hopping out of the car quickly, her front tires were flat and torn. The van itself was dented in the back.

“Mommy, don’t leave me,” Amber began crying softly.

Winding down the window slightly. “I’m just trying to get a signal baby. I will never leave you, okay?

All hopes of getting help failed and now she had to wait until morning before she could think of anything to possibly do. Amber by now after, after what happened two hours ago was steadfast asleep again, in her car seat; free from all injuries. 

Crying silently, Reign rests her head against the steering wheel wondering how much worse can her life get?

A knock on the window and the flicker of a flashlight brought her back to reality.

“Can you not shine the light in my eyes?” she asked the person with the flashlight as she slowly got out of her car. 

The headache from the accident was drumming in her head. She stepped out of the car staggering. Her body was steadied by strong masculine hands that wrapped around her waist. Her small petite figure was towered over by a man that looked like a giant.

The moonlit sky helped her to see his features clearly.

“Umm, thank you,” she said, then reeling herself from his grasp as she was beginning to get uncomfortable.

“May I ask what you’re doing on my private property?” a husky voice asked her. From behind the man that helped her regain balance.

“I was on the main road when two reindeers dashed across the road. I lost control of the car,” she said, disturbed by the look on the man’s face.

“Are the deers okay?” He asked, slowly coming to a stop beside the next man.

She raised her brow and whispered a snarky comment under her breath, caring not if he heard as much as she needed the help. 

“No. After they caused my accident I went in search of them and guess what?” she asked, with a disgusted look on her face.

“What? Both men asked.

“I skinned them alive.” She smiled. 

“How inhumane are you? The stupid one with the stupid questions asked. 

“Very. Do you have a fire? I would like to roast them like wild hogs.”

Well, you need to get back on the main road,” he replied.

“And do tell me. How am I going to get back on the main road with this car?” she asked aggressively. 

She was beyond annoyed by the man's attitude.

“I don’t know. Figure it out, ma’am. But bye,” he spoke in a stern voice.

“Bye. Oh, and you're an asshole, you know that?” she hissed at the man.

She opened the back door and gently woke Amber. Tears came to her after waking her baby a second time. Knowing well that for the past two days they had not received much or comfortable rest. Grabbing her bags from the trunk she held Amber’s hand and began strolling the opposite way.

“You can’t go that way, you’ll get lost. Besides, the baby is going to freeze,” the man said.

“As you care,” she replied, still walking.

“Why are you making this difficult for me?” he rushed and stood in front of her.

“Me leaving with my child. How is it difficult for you?” she frowned.

“Don’t frown and roll your eyes at me,” he shrugged. “You can stay in my cabin for the night but you will leave in the morning someway - somehow.”

“No thank you. I’m not a dog,” she responded.

“How am I offering you a place to stay, make you a dog?” he questioned furrowing his brows.

“Do I need to give you a recap of what happened ten minutes ago? Your brain seems to be shallow,” she growled.

“My brain is not shallow. You’re acting like a child!” he yelled.

“If you say so, Mr. Grinch,” she huffed.

“Mommy I’m cold,” Amber interrupted them.

“Yes we really need to get going,” the guy’s friend spoke. “The wind is picking up and the baby is shivering. You two can continue arguing when we get there.”

“Dear, can you help me with my bag?” she asked the first guy.

“My pleasure,” he smiled and took the luggage from her.

“Thank you. At least you’re a gentleman,” she smirked looking at the other guy behind her who rolled his eyes.

“Elijah, give the bags to me,” he called out. “Is this gentleman enough for you now?”

Reign rolled her eyes and ignored him then adding more bags to his load.

 “Can you get that duffle bag for me please Elijah?” She asked him.

“Sure, Umm, what’s your name?” Elijah asked.

“Elizabeth Reign,” she replied. “However I just go by Reign.”

“Nice name,” he nodded.

Reign got the keys from the car and tossed it in her purse after locking up the car. She picked up Amber with the blanket wrapped around her and followed behind the men and their Siberian husky.

“Why are you walking behind me?” the guy with the husky voice asked.

“Where am I to walk? I don’t know where I’m going,” she frowned.

“Why are you so miserable? Please walk in front of me but behind Elijah,” he spoke. “What kind of gentleman would I be leaving a lady behind?” he added, mimicking her. 

“Whatever,” she muttered and walked past, bouncing his shoulder.

   ~***~

“Well, this is where you and your daughter will be staying tonight. You can get comfortable,” he spoke. “But not too comfortable, only for the child’s sake.”

“Thank you,” she replied and flicked him off behind his back.

“William?” he outstretched his hand introducing himself.

“Reign,” she replied while shaking his index finger.

“I know. I heard when you told it to Elijah,’ he spoke flatly.

It was now a quarter to eleven. Way past Amber’s bedtime, but knowing Amber she had to have her warm meal, milk, and water before bed.  She strolled down the stairs with Amber. Walking past William several times could feel his eyes shooting daggers at her back. She walked around ignoring William's stare until she found the kitchen.

“Finally!,” she exclaimed. “Is it okay if I make something to eat?”

“It’s okay,” Elijah smiled at her.

“You know you could have asked me to direct you to my kitchen,” William frowned at her. He eyed her up and down, folding his arms, with a clear perplexed expression written all over his face. 

“If I wanted your direction, Willy Grinch. I would’ve asked,” she responded. Knowing well he would be more infuriated by the nicknames.

“My name is William.” He hissed. “W-I-L-L-I-A-M.”

“Willy Grinch, Okay, got it. My deepest apologies.”

“It’s William,” he yelled, gaining Elijah’s and Amber’s attention

“No need to make a scene. We know the Grinch loves attention but no need to scare others, Willy,” she said, laughing herself to fits.

“Whatever,” he answered, stuffing his hands in his pockets and leaving the kitchen. William left bothered and retired to his room while she prepared something for her, Amber, and Elijah.

She quickly put together pasta with minced chicken, fed Amber, put her to bed, and was enjoying a peaceful conversation with Elijah before the Grinch got jealous and appeared. 

“Did you ask if you could eat what I cooked?” Reign asked William?

“Did you ask me if you could use my kitchen? In my cabin?” he screwed, filling his plate.

“It’s my food.” She retorted.

“My pot and utensils. I see you would not have a problem eating from your hands.”

“What a mishap” she growled.

“The only unlucky accident that happened here is your car that went off the road,” William replied.