Age: 19

Text
“It was 1987, in Secaucus, New Jersey, and I was driving home from work. A woman suddenly appeared in front of my car and I hit her. She was an older woman dressed in black. I called the police, and they took her to the hospital. I later found out through the obituary that she had passed away later on. I don’t believe it was from me hitting her, but her health declined after the accident. This is why I keep a plastic black flower in my car. I had nightmares from hitting her, though I know she knows I did not do it on purpose. Now, whenever I enter the car, even after getting a new one, I say hello to her.”

Context

The informant is the man’s grandson. He used to drive an hour to work each day.

Analysis

The man is giving a warning to the informant to watch the roads when driving. He has to live with the guilt that he contributed to someone’s death. The man now dedicates his rides to the woman he hit as an act of respect. He seemed extremely remorseful to the informant. The plastic flower refers to the woman who wore black. As grim as it seems, it serves as a great reminder to watch the roads because now he is haunted by his past car accident.