Kate fell onto her bed as a wave of tears fell down her face. The bed shook as she dry-heaved. The memories flashed through her head. Kate was working the late shift. She was the assistant manager of the only bar and grill in town. Everybody loved it and everybody loved Kate. Her straight brown hair flowed down her back and her bright blue eyes popped when the lights from the DJ bounced off the walls. Kate caught herself moving along to the music as she served drinks to her customers and managed the backroom. As it grew late, Kate checked on her staff and left when she was comfortable the bar was in good hands.
It was New Years Eve. Kate and Nick debated whether they were going to keep their son up to see the ball drop. He's only three, Nick said. Kate puttered up the driveway in her snowboots, struggling to find the key to the door. Nick opened up, greeting her with a handsome smile.
"Hey beautiful," With a quick swing of his arm, he scooped up his wife and walked over to the sofa. He began taking off her boots and helped with her jacket. "Work is okay?"
"They'll be fine," Kate grinned.
"Yes, boss." Nick winked. He leaned in for a kiss and Kate quickly grabbed onto him, running her hands through his hair and kissing him passionately. Nick pulled her shirt over her head, leaving her in jeans and bra. Kate did the same, revealing Nick's muscular build. Nick pulled her in close, kissing her deeply. He picked her up off the couch and began to the bedroom. Kate giggled.
"Whoa, baby. Let me check on the little guy first and you can meet me in the bedroom with a couple beers."
Nick walked towards the kitchen as Kate turned down the hall and reached for her son's doorknob.
The next moment changed Kate and Nick's life forever. There was no sign; it came so unexpectedly. Police and amublence lights were whirling in front of their home until the early hours of the morning. Kate collapsed as the EMTs wheeled out her son in a black bag. Her vision became blurry and she couldn't feel her legs.
A police officer walked Nick over to Kate and sat him down. "Please, sir, stay here. They need room to clear everything out."
Another officer walked through the front door carrying a heavyset TV. Nick and Kate stared at the TV that was covered in their sons blood. Word hit the newspapers right away. In the final report, they ruled death by accident. Their son was trying to climb the dresser to turn on the TV after he was put to bed and the TV fell on top of him, crushing and killing him instantly.
Those images of finding her son in that way will haunt Kate for the rest of her life. She tugs at her hair and screams loudly into the pillows. Kate's meltdown leaves her exhausted and she passes out within minutes.
.
