Portland, Oregon
Congratulations, Shannon!
Shannon’s Bio:
Shannon Caster has been writing since she first found her mother’s manual typewriter at the age of seven. Back then, all her stories started with, “It was a dark and stormy night.” Luckily, Shannon has found new openings for her stories. Her work has appeared in such publications as Highlights for Children, Ask! Magazine, The Christian Science Monitor, and Pockets Magazine. Shannon is currently perfecting her young adult novel, which is sure to capture the perfect agent’s attention.
When Shannon is not taking care of her husband, two kids, three dogs, and calico cat, she enjoys volunteering, reading, and enjoying the sights of Portland, Oregon. To find out more about Shannon, visit her website at www.shannoncaster.com.
Remembrance
"Giving birth is an experience like no other. All my maternal instincts kicked in when I held Taylor."
"I know what you mean. When Sophie was born, the world stopped the second I heard her breathe. You can't describe it until you experience it."
Janie wasn't bitter, but hearing her friends share birthing stories at the baby shower left her with an uncomfortable outsider feeling. Of course, they didn't mean to imply her five years raising Collin didn't count. However, the fact she'd adopted Collin when he was one month old left her on the outside looking in when it came to stories of conception, pregnancy, and childbirth.
"Collin, what are you reading?" Janie asked driving home.
"The Three Little Pigs," he replied in his scratchy wolf voice, complete with claw-like fingers. Collin shifted in his car seat and continued to recite his favorite lines.
"Mind if I join you?" she asked.
"Sure, Mommy."
Janie quickly joined in. "Little pig, little pig, let me come— Collin?"
An eerie silence enveloped the car. Janie eyes immediately focused on her son. Collin's hands reached for his neck, his mouth fell open.
"Collin, what's the matter? Collin!"
Janie jerked the steering wheel to the right and slammed on the brakes. The car fought with the broken gray gravel shoulder, spewing dust and rock in an effort to stop.
Janie's shoes hit the ground hard as she reached for the door handle. The tiny black sliver taunted her with its refusal to lift up. "Open!" Janie screamed. She dove back into the front seat and hit the unlock button. The locked released with a loud click. A large pulse rushed through Janie's heart.
She threw the backdoor open and another heartbeat pounded through her chest. "Breathe, baby, breathe." Janie grabbed Collin's shoulders but his body resisted the tug. The seatbelt snuggled over Collin's chest wrapped him in a smothering cocoon. The equipment meant to protect his life shaved precious seconds off attempts to save his life.
Disregarding physics, Janie yanked Collin up through the straps and out of the car seat, something previously not possible when she had the car seat tested. Janie's pounding heart stopped again when Collin's firm grip on her shirt went limp and his hand slid down her sleeve.
On the narrow shoulder of the road, Janie wrapped her arms around Collin. Images of Collin dying in her arms blurred through her mind. "Stay with me, baby," she whispered. Blocking out the noise of the passing cars, she pumped her closed fist into Collin's abdomen.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
With the last thrust, the patchwork of broken gray rocks became the resting ground for a tiny green and white mint—a baby shower mint.
A rush of air filled Collin's lungs reminding Janie of the nights she sat listening to him breathe as a baby. Once again the world around her stopped. Collin spun underneath her embrace and wrapped his arms around her neck. "Mommy," he whispered.
***