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Song to Play With: Sarah Cothran, "As The World Caves In"
Listen to this piece 🔊
The sky over Chicago was gray, cold and calm, but inside the glass-walled boardroom, the world was coming undone. Husband sat stiffly in his seat, watching the sudden chaos unfolding outside. People bolted from their desks, hastily packing their bags, staring nervously at their phones, knocking over chairs and each other. The muffled roar of ringtones and fear grew louder as someone burst through the door, eyes wide.
“They’ve launched them. Missiles. Nuclear. Russia and China. Fifteen minutes ago. We’ve got maybe ten, twenty minutes before they hit.”
The room went silent for a breath, then exploded into a cacophony of screams, yells, furniture scraping across the floor. People rushed toward the elevators, crammed into stairwells, or hid under desks in futile gestures of protection. Husband stayed still, numb, as if watching from outside his own body.
He looked at his phone: 13 missed calls and 15 texts from Wife asking where he was. He tried to call back, but the line wouldn’t connect. SMS still seemed to work.
Husband
hey cant call you. hope text works. plz respond
He sees the "..." and feels relief.
Wife
Thank god I’ve been trying to call you for over 30 minutes. I’m with the kids in Jack’s bunker. We are all safe. Are you still at work?
Husband
thats good. im happy you are safe. yes im at work listen they say we dont have much time, maybe 5mins tell Cole & Carole i luv them, plz make sure they never forget that take care of them
Wife
You make it home and tell the kids yourself.
Husband
if i dont plz promise me you will tell them listen i need to tell you im sorry i wish i could have done things differently i wish i listened more & was honest w/ you i know why you want a divorce & i dont blame you youre a great mother, Cole & Carole are lucky
A few seconds feels like eternity and then he sees the "...".
Wife
I’m sorry too. I didn’t give you enough credit but I always appreciated what a loving and supportive father you are. Please don’t give up hope.
Husband
tell Cole that im sorry i wasnt around for his games but ill always be w/ him in spirit whether he wins or loses making sure he moves those feet 😉🎾
Wife hands the phone over to her 8 year old son Cole.
Wife
Tks Dad 😆
Husband
luv you buddy take care & protect your sister & your Mom im counting on you
Wife
🫡
Husband
lemme talk to your sister
Wife
Cole tells his 5 year old sister, Carole that “daddy is on the phone and to say something”. He types what she says:
hiii daddy
Husband
hi princess daddy luvs you princess. daddy always luvs you. hugs and kisses
Wife
love you too 🤗 😘
a brief pause as the Wife takes the phone from Cole.
Are you in a safe spot?
Husband
im stuck on one of the top floors of this tower the elevators are broken and the stairs are jammed going to have to stick it out here great view of the lake remember what i said to you when we last visited chicago?
the Husband stands tall looking out the windows watching the missiles approach.
Wife
No what?
Husband
He types “luv you Wife” but before he is able to hit Enter, a blinding white light engulfs everything as the first missile strikes downtown Chicago.
Wife
Wife sees the "..." and then suddenly stops, deafening silence for 15 minutes, she types and sends:
Goodnight love ❗
“Not Delivered”
I condemn any violence in the world.
See Essay “Stress: The Destroyer of Worlds 🤬”