I went to go visit my mom last week. I actually had a really good time. Something good is going on with her, and we seem to getting on much better.
Anyhow, while down there, one of the most panic stricken experiences in my existence occurred. Seriously. The following all happened within 10 seconds I would say. Maybe even less.
We were getting ready to go somewhere, so I was in the guest room changing clothes. I was putting my belt on, when I hear this really loud mechanical noise. At first I didn't think too much of it, it sounded like a garbage disposal or vacuum or something mundane like that. Then I hear my mom and Ginger saying, "Dakota?!". Oh crap, what's he--, I'm thinking. The noise gets louder and there's some thumping noises. Then I hear Dakota let out this loud scream.
It's very strange. I've been in situations where I've been frightened, close to panic, mostly for my own safety. But this was totally different. When you hear your kid scream, something happens to you. It was like an explosion went off inside my head. One moment I am a normal thinking person, the next, the adrenaline bomb has been dropped, and the way you think is different. The way time moves is different. Everything seems clarified, but fuzzy at the same time.
Aggh! I think I actually said that too...Agggh! I realize I am still trying to thread my belt into the belt loops, and it's impeding my thought process, so I pull the belt out in one very graceful move and throw that fucker as far as I can while yelling, "Where are you?". I take a few steps in one direction, towards the kitchen, sounded like a garbage disposal remember? But that's not the way. Thank goodness may I add. So, I turn around and run toward my mom's room, which is where I finally ascertained the sound was coming from.
I beat my mom and Ginger to Dakota by a good 5 seconds. He staggered into my view and he looked so freaked out. I can't remember exactly what I said, though I think it was a combination of, "AgghWhatdidyoudoareyouok?!" He said he was ok, but still looked shell-shocked. I gave him a big hug, and that's when time went back to normal and I noticed that I was shaking like a leaf.
I am still hearing that god-awful noise and I see my mom's new treadmill is going at mach 3. He points at it, and says, "I couldn't get it to stop!". I turn the thing off and notice a big hole in the wall. I say something along the lines of. "Holy shit". He then bursts into tears. I asked him if he was crying because he was scared or hurt, and he said it was because he was hurt.
I try to joke him out of the crying, commenting on the hole in the wall and such. He gamely smiled, but no stoppage on the tears. Then I try to get him to take off his shirt so I can see the damage. His elbow is pretty banged up, it looks swollen and has serious road rash. I figure this is what lead the way through the wall. (Luckily it was a wall to the closet, so it was just drywall with nothing behind really) Once I get his shirt off....ouch. He has this huge raspberry road rash burn on his shoulder and back, his shirt is actually ripped, the graphic is melted in some spots, and he has random scratches on his lower back and feet.
We get him laid out on the bed and ice him up. He is just kind of laying there quietly which is so unlike him. We actually started giving him the concussion/ head trauma tests. What day is it? What's your middle name? How many fingers am I holding up? Etc. Once we figured he was ok, we just asked him silly questions to get him...and ourselves giggling if possible. After about 30 minutes though, he seems to be regaining his Dakota-ness.
I found my belt later about 15 feet from where I threw it. That was a good toss. :)
Today he's totally fine, his road rashes are all scabby and healing up nicely. He also learned a lesson, which is, don't go touching peoples stuff by yourself, when they told you they would show you how to use it in a minute. Which is good, because he really was not getting that one. :p Obviously dahlink.
I think I at least know now that I would react ok in a panic type situation. It took me a second to get my brain running in the right direction, but it did go. That's good to know.
Anyhow, not much else has been going on in the world of Jenn. I'm reading Shogun right now, which is a great book by the way. This is my second time through it. I need to get a new copy, cause this one is ragged, and the print goes almost into the middle seam, so it's difficult at times to read the last words on the left page and the first ones on the right.
So, I'm out for today. See you on another random day I am quite sure.
Oh yeah, Happy V-Day yo!
