Now Is The Time To Act

• Tayla Reynish, Grade 5
• Short Story
• 2022

At midnight my legs were shaking. I had learnt something vital. Something that would change my life. And I was not ready to believe it. Is it black or white? Is it fake or real? Is it right or wrong? There are no in-betweens.
I had been standing in the dark, completely frozen. Was this true? Yesterday I went out into the shed to grab my Science homework. When suddenly I found a book. But when I saw the book, I thought to myself this isn't any book; this was a cataclysmic book (which means catastrophic). It was titled "Elsie's Book of Life". What the heck is that book!
I had just reached the book down from the shelf. Then when I had the book in my hand, I whisked out my phone. I planned on taking photos of the book. The first page from what I could understand, meant: It was terror first, then the accident, then the baby…why? But then suddenly hope was up against her!
“Her... Her...” I said for about the thousandth time. It made no sense, no sense at all. Who is “her”? The only person who made sense was me. Was I the one? I didn't think that I was the one, but from these last few days, I'd say that I knew nothing.
After school Monday, Mum's supposed to pick me up from school. It was the perfect opportunity to talk to Mum about everything. I jumped in the car filled with massive nerves. I felt like one of those speed cars except the speed cars, were my nerves. A minute later and Mum is screaming "Get in the car!" Whoopsie. I decided that before talking about the serious stuff I would just play it cool for now...
"Hi Mum, how was your day?" I asked with the most sympathy I could put on. "Great.” she said in her normal everyday tone after work. "Mum," I exclaimed a little too loudly and way too soon. "What is up with that book?" “My dear, I knew that one day you would find out.” she replied. "Find out what Mum?" "Well, that book I wrote because, well... When I had just earned my driver's licence, I was involved in a terrible car accident. At that time, I was due to have a baby but then she died while I was in the car accident.” “But then?" I asked with a bit of relief and peace but also with a bit of shame. "When I was involved in the car accident, I saw a little baby." "And that was me?" I asked confused. “Exactly. You were my hope; my last hope and that is why I wrote that book."
“Oh, I love you, Mum!” Then I closed my eyes and a certain peace washed over me. There was nothing to worry about now!