A couple Park Police ran up asking what happened, is any one hurt, who screamed, am I alright. I nodded and pointed in the direction the woman ran. "She went thataway."
A crowd had gathered, then a news crew, fire fighters, an ambulance crew, and finally a couple park workers. The fire fighters checked me, said I was okay. The ambulance crew looked disappointed and wandered off. The news reporter asked me a few questions, I told her what I knew - not much - she looked disappointed too.
When everyone else had left the park workers asked me when I was getting up. "In a little bit. I'd kinda like to get my self back together. They nodded and climbed back into their maintenance cart and drove away.
When I was sure everyone had gone I stood and walked the half block to my apartment, stepped into the shower and schucked my clothes. They were going straight into the trash, there was no way I was going to try washing all that shit out.
***
There was a brief mention on the local news. I was on for about five seconds, but they had found the woman cowering behind a dumpster and crying. She made a much better interview. She mostly cried through the interview but was pretty clear in blaming me for her close call with death.
***
I don't know where the term came from, I just remember it was my mother - Bless her soul - shouting it one day. That was when I was about ten. We lived in Kansas. I think Dad worked for an auto dealer as a mechanic. Anyway me and my brother were having breakfast before school when Mom came running into the kitchen shouting
Lembetyseven!
She herded us to the bathroom, threw a bunch of blankets into the tub, it was one of those deep claw foot ones, and made us get in. She got in with us and covered us with another blanket and we waited.
It wasn't long until it sounded like a big train driving right through our house. Everything shook and stuff was falling on us. I think some hurt Mom because she would yell like that. The noise went on for a long time and then faded away.
We waited a long time after the noise stopped before Mom would let us up. The house was gone. Just pieces laying everywhere. Mom sat and cried. I found a towel and wiped blood from the back of her head. Mom began looking for things. She found a mirror but it was smashed. I found one of my shoes. We didn't find much else, Mom said it was all likely scattered all over the county.
Dad came racing up in his car, weaving through the mess. When she saw him Mom fell into his arms crying. After a few minutes she stood tall, looked right at him and declared she didn't want to live here anymore.
***
