"Daddy, you're going to be in a car crash tomorrow.
"Harriet said.
Her father, looking at her with a bewildered expression, was speechless.
Then Harriet added, "What's a car crash?" Disturbed by his daughter's comment, he spoke to his wife.
"Louise, Harriet just told me that I was going to be in a car accident tomorrow, then she asked me what one was.
" Louise laughed it off.
"Don, she probably heard it at school.
She's five years old, give me a break.
She's probably just trying to get your attention.
You have been neglecting her lately.
" "I know.
" "When are you going to be home more?It's hurting us, it's hurting your daughter.
"Louise whispered to her husband.
Louise and Don went to sleep that night without a real care in the world.
Don closed his eyes tightly as he heard the crunching of metal and the shattering of glass.
The sounds stopped just as suddenly as they began.
Don opened his eyes and took in his surroundings.
Someone has rammed their car into his from behind.
Shaken, but not hurt, Don got out of his car, unable to escape from his daughter's words the day before.
After the police came, the phone calls to the insurance companies and all the necessary paperwork had been filed, Don decided to skip work and go home.
Once home, he located his wife at the sink in the kitchen, washing glasses in steaming, soapy water.
"Louise, Harriet was right!"He seemed shocked.
"What are you talking about?"Louise turned to him, a glass still in her hand.
"I just got into a car accident.
" Louise dropped the glass she was holding, the impact spraying shards of broken glass over her bare feet.
"Are you alright?" "I'm fine.
Where is she?"Don seemed to be in a hurry.
"Playing with her blocks.
" Don made his way to the playroom where Harriet's toys were kept, finding his daughter sitting on the floor, stacking block on top of block until the tower was swaying.
"It's gonna fall Daddy.
"Harriet said before the blocks came toppling down with a clackity crash.
Don stared at her.
He wasn't sure what he was looking for.
He was just studying her.
Harriet turned to him and stared back.
Don found his voice and spoke.
"Honey, I've got something to ask you, and you have to be honest with me.
Why did you say I was going to be in a car crash today?" "You were, weren't you?So I didn't lie, Daddy?" Knowing that she couldn't possibly have heard him and Louise talking downstairs, he replied, "No, you didn't lie, but how did you know that?" Harriet shrugged.
"I was told.
" Don relaxed a little, starting to think that his wife was right after all.
"Who told you that?" Harriet pointed to her forehead.
TO BE CONTINUED...