The following is the first chapter of The Giving of Us by Glenna Shawn.
The early drivers on Route 29 were enjoying the morning light. The air was crisp, and the sun was warm.
Driving at top speed, Tim felt his first thrill of the day. It was a better adrenaline rush than his morning coffee. As he drove, he relished the air, the scenery, and especially the feeling of the sweet-smelling wind blowing through his hair and the sun on his face. His morning commute to the city was his favorite part of the day—most mornings he didn’t even turn on his radio. It was such a pleasure to listen to the birds, the wind, and the intoxicating sound coming from the twelve-cylinder engine of his sports car.
He was the first to hear the grinding of metal against metal and then metal against pavement. As he rounded the slight bend in the road, Tim saw an eighteen-wheeler on its side sliding toward him. Smoke and sparks shot from the truck as the metal scraped along the highway. Flames flew out from the back.
Tim reacted immediately, slamming on the brakes and steering toward the road’s right shoulder. His many weekends training with instructors at the racetrack in West Virginia allowed him to stay calm despite the truck flying toward him—at least as calm as could be expected. Tim analyzed his situation and put all his attention on controlling the vehicle. Cargo flew in all directions over the highway as the truck careened down the road. As Tim watched with bated breath, the semi moved closer to his car.
The truck began to slow, but not quickly enough to avoid a collision. There was no way to maneuver around the oncoming vehicle. Tim immediately put the car in reverse. He threw his right arm over the passenger seat, looked to the rear, and slammed his foot on the gas. He was careful not to oversteer and cause his car to flip. He didn’t dare to turn his head and check how far the truck had come; he needed his full attention on his driving. Tim listened as the truck scraped along the highway, tearing up guardrails and grinding over pavement. He desperately hoped to hear silence soon.
The truck finally ground to a halt, and Tim stopped his car. He breathed a ragged sigh of relief. At the same time, several other cars reached the same spot on the highway and joined him at a full stop. All faced the behemoth that was lying on its side, blocking every lane. The drivers remained in their cars for several moments, staring at the horrific scene in front of them.
The damaged central island looked as if a bulldozer had driven through the area. The truck had crashed through at top speed.
Soon, several people jumped out of their cars to see if anyone was injured. Some were already on their phones dialing 911. One of the drivers, Jeff, leaped from his car and ran back toward the bend in the road to alert oncoming traffic so that others would have time to stop. Another, Michele, while frightened to get too close, hurried toward the large truck to see if she could help the driver. She was relieved when he crawled out the window, seemingly uninjured.
In thirty minutes, the highway was full of trucks, flashing lights, and first responders wearing bright-yellow vests. As many as twenty people swarmed the truck and the debris spread across the highway. The lead responder leaned his head toward his shoulder to speak into his radio.
“All personnel, don your masks now. There are fumes rising off the roadway. Those with cars on the highway, turn them around and get them out of the area. We have a hazmat situation. Do it now!”
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To read more about Tim’s journey, check out The Giving of Us on Amazon.
Glenna Shawn is an accomplished equestrian and a former dressage competitor. During her time as a stay-at-home mother, Glenna volunteered with several equine-assisted therapy programs at Rock Creek Park Horse Center in Washington, DC. She is married and lives in Washington, DC, where she raised her four children.