Apples at Midnight

I wrote this essay for my grade 9 English class in 2011

As Rebecca pulls into a parking space, the nerves finally hit her. She glances down at the platinum and diamond ring, sparkling on her finger, and can’t help but smile. She clutches the ancient apple pie recipe in her hand and reviews what she will need to buy: sugar, vinegar, cinnamon, lemon and large, red apples.

Rebecca places the groceries in the boot of her silver Toyota. She starts the car and makes her way out of the small parking lot. As she is driving, a wave of anxiety blows over her. Suddenly, she is aware of every move she and the people around her make. The cold drink truck edging around the corner; the young man running past the car, his arms swaying as he propels himself forward; the slow, almost silent hum coming from the engine.

Rebecca jolts with fright as her cell phone rings, breaking the silence. She stretches past her bag next to her, to answer her mobile. As soon as she answers, she feels her bodies tension ease. The voice immediately comforts her. Jacob’s voice has always had a calming effect on her and today is no different. They discuss the plans for the following day; their engagement party.

There is a screech and the sound of metal being crushed can be heard by Jacob. Then, the line goes dead.

When the police finally manage to contact Jacob, he is frantic with worry. They inform him of their where abouts. Jacob immediately races to the scene of the accident. He can see the front of Rebecca’s silver Toyota moulded into the side of a rubble truck. The police do not allow him any closer and so he is forced to stand alongside the rest of the people gathering, whose morbid curiosity has clearly gotten the best of them.

A paramedic approaches Jacob and quietly whispers something to him. The words take a moment to make an impact. Then, Jacobs face drains of blood and a tear forms in his eye. His darling fiancé but never to be wife.

As he walks over to the mangled car, it appears that there is nothing to save. The car is completely crushed and everything inside, destroyed. A single tear escapes his eye. He notices something glinting in the wreckage. Before he is able to go any closer, another paramedic hands him a folded piece of paper. Jacob unfolds it and discovers his great-grandmothers apple pie recipe that was the cause of Rebecca’s death.

He hears a paramedic asking for the time of death. The reply, “eleven fifty-eight.” Jacob remembers the glimmer of colour in the wreckage. He lifts a piece of metal and finds a bag of apples, blood red against the midnight gloom. Another tear forces its way past the rim of his eye; a sign of mourning for his dear fiancé.