Where were you when you heard the news?
Carlee Soto learning that her sister had died in the Sandy Hook School Shootings
Were you driving?
Cell phone rings
Kids in tow
Tears flowing
“Mom, what’s wrong?”
Did you pull over?
Did you tell them?
Or did you not?
“Nothing, honey.
Moms just crying.”
Or
“Mom-mom just called.
Pop-Pop died.”
*****
Were you at work?
“This isn’t good.
You thought to yourself
“Dad never calls me at work.”
It goes to voicemail.
“Call me ASAP”
Dad says.
Voice shaking.
You go to the bathroom
Return the call
Lock the doors.
“It’s your mom . . . .”
*****
Was it in on your couch?
Searching your Facebook newsfeed
You see it.
“It’s a joke”
She can’t be . . .
You text your best friend
No response
It’s not a joke.
Oh, God. Oh, God.
*****
Was it late at night?
2:00 am
Someone knocks on the door
The dog starts barking.
Everybody’s home.
So you thought.
“Are you the father of . . .”
“Yes”, you tell the officer.
“I regret to inform you . . .”
*****
Perhaps you were there
The moment
The hysteria
When eyes lost life
You will never forget
That time, place
Where color faded to gray
When clarity became confusion
When life ended suddenly
And a part of you with it.
