When I was told that she had accidentally killed her parents , I had the feeling that there was more to it.
Accidental Justice
I know shit happens. I know what we might call contrived in a novel can actually be a very common coincidence in real life. I know people can be stroke by lighting twice or even more and that lighting can actually strike twice in the same place.
However, when I was told that this young woman had accidentally killed her parents in two accidents, one month apart, I had the feeling that there was more to it.
The mother had been hit by a heavy box that fell right on her head when they were doing some end-of-the-year cleaning. The daughter was visiting, as she used to every Christmas. There was no suspicion of foul play, except for what some neighbors described as “coldness” in her reaction afterwards. True, some people can experience paralyzing traumas or just shelter themselves in denial until another event triggers a reaction.
Exactly one month later, the father was accidentally run over when she was pulling out of the garage in reverse. This time, she did cry, quite desperately, according to some accounts. I decided to revisit the case after I learned this “unlucky” girl was seen in Los Roques in February. Apparently, she was celebrating Saint Valentine’s. I learned she had divorced her abusive husband just a few months after she said good bye to her only son, who had finally left the nest to give college a try.
I have nothing against people rebuilding their lives, but I still found it odd that someone loses her most important people in four months and shortly after she is having the time of her life. I read once that accidents do not exist; they are just convenient. I dug into this woman’s life and found nothing incriminating. Nothing on her father or mother; no anecdotes from concerned neighbors that might shed light about some violent tendencies or family trauma. She looked clean, except for a casual conversation I managed to “accidentally” have with her at a supermarket.
“I know those were not accidents,” I said bluntly while I pretended to choose between red and green apples. “I’m not coming after you. I just want to confirm my theory.”
“Some theories should be laws,” she said, taking a green apple from my hand and putting it back where it belonged. “I really loved them. It hurt me more than you will ever understand. Parents are supposed to protect their children,” she said, biting hard every syllable of the word “protect”.
I let her go in peace. She more than deserved it.
Thanks for your reading
This was my entry to and
’s 5 Minute Freewrite: Friday Prompt: ACCIDENTALLY. You can see the details here.