Shattering News

In the wee hours of the morning...

"Eric...Eric?" whispered Annie.

Eric rolled over, slowly opening his eyes, he mumbled, "What? What's wrong?"

"Someone's at the door."

Eric groggily glanced at the alarm clock's blaring red numbers: 3:32. He slowly rolled over, and climbed out of bed. As he grabbed his robe, he heard the door bell in the distance.

I'm coming, I'm coming," Eric grumbled impatiently. As he put his robe on, he felt the same dull ache in his heart. Feeling unsteady, he rested his hand upon the bedpost.

Worried, Annie asked, "Eric, what's wrong?"

Ignoring her question, Eric asked, "Do you know if the kids came home? I know Lucy and Ruthie did, but I don't know about the boys."

Annie rose. Grabbing her robe, she hastily replied, "You answer the door. I'll check on the kids."

She walked out of the bedroom and down the hall, peeking in the boys' rooms. Eric followed, bumping into Lucy, who was coming down the attic stairs.

"Sorry Lucy, why are you up?"

"It's ok, Dad. I couldn't sleep, so I thought I would get some hot cocoa or something to help." Noticing that her mom was peeking into Matt and Robbie's room, she asked, "Is something wrong?"

"Ding...Dong..." the doorbell rang a hollow ring.

As Eric walked down the stairs, he answered, I don't know, but your mom heard someone at the door and wondered if all the kids were home."

"Oh, but who would be at the door at this time of night?" Lucy asked.

"That's what I'm about to find out" Eric replied, reaching the last step.

"Eric?" Eric and Lucy turned to see Annie coming down the stairs. "The kids are all here."

"Well, the kids can't be in any trouble. It's probably one of the parishioners, needing help," Eric stated trying to be reassuring, as Lucy and Annie followed him to the front door.

Eric opened the door, to find Sgt Micheals standing on the doorstep.

"Hi Eric, I'm sorry to bother you at this time of night." Noticing Annie and Lucy standing in the background, he acknowledged their presence, "Hello, Annie...Lucy."

Stepping aside and motioning, Eric asked, "Would you care to come in?"

Stepping into the foyer, Sgt Micheals replied, "Thank you"

"What seems to be the problem," Eric asked, noticing the concerned and worried look upon his friend's face.

"I came to ask for help. I just came back from a terrible accident scene. I was wondering if you could come with me to tell the parents that their son has died." Pausing for just a moment, he continued, "one of my officers on duty tonight stated that you might know the kid and his parents. He said that he remembers you helping the kid out a drug situation."

"I might know the kid. What's his name?"

"Actually, you may know both kids. The young man didn't make it. He was thrown out of the car. The young lady is in critical condition at Glenn Oak General Hospital. We don't know if she'll make it."

"Ok, who are the kids?" Eric repeated.

Pulling a small notebook from his uniform shirt pocket, Sgt Micheals read, "Jimmy Moon, and Shelby..."

"Oh God, no!" Lucy moaned as she grabbed a hold of her father.

Eric quickly wrapped his arms around Lucy and pulled her close to him. "What happened?"

Annie interjected, "Honey, couldn't we all sit in the family room?"

"That's probably a good idea," Sgt. Micheals replied.

Slowly and silently, the four of them made their way to the family room. Once they had been somewhat comfortably seated, Sgt Micheals explained, "Well, the rain made it difficult driving for many this evening, although we don't believe it's the only factor or reason for the accident."

Finding her voice then, Lucy quietly asked, "What do mean?"

Sgt. Micheals turned toward Lucy. He silently prayed for the right words to say, as he watched tears slowly roll down her face. Oh how he hated this part of the job, especially when he had to tell those he knew well. Slowly taking a breath, he replied, "We believe the man who crashed Jimmy's car had been drinking."

"NOOOO!" Lucy screamed, pushing Eric away, as she rose from the couch and fled out of the room.

"Lucy!" Eric cried as he rose to follow, but Annie placed her hand on his arm, "I'll go." She quickly followed her daughter up the stairs.

"Eric, I'm so sorry"

Startled, for just a short moment he had forgotten Sgt Micheals was there. He sighed, "It's ok. Thank you for stopping by."

As the two walked toward the front door, Eric then remembered that Sgt Micheals had come for his help. "Do you still want me to go with you to the Moons?"

With a weak grin, "Truthfully, yes" Sgt Micheals replied as he motioned upstairs, "but you need to stay, to be with your family."

"Are you sure?" Eric asked, feeling torn. Sgt. Micheals nodded.

Opening the door, Eric stated warmly, "Thank you."

As Sgt Micheals stepped outside, he turned as he spoke, "Eric, if you need anything, call me."

"I will," Eric replied, grateful for a friend. Leaning against the doorframe, he watched his friend disappear into the night. He quietly prayed, "Lord, please help me." He slowly shut the door and climbed the stairs to find his wife and heartbroken daughter.