I stopped to help a woman who was dy//ing on the side of the road and lost my job because I arrived late

I had been three cars behind her.

 

The SUV in front of me slowed.

Then kept going.

So did the van behind it.

For one strange second, I had done the same.

My foot remained on the accelerator.

My mind screamed about the presentation.

Eight-thirty.

Biggest account of the year.

Gavin had warned everyone not to be late.

 

Then I looked in the rearview mirror and saw the woman disappear from view.

I pulled over.

That one decision had apparently cost me my job.

Still, when I tried to imagine continuing down the road while she lay there alone, I couldn’t.

I opened my eyes.

My phone was vibrating on the passenger seat.

 

I expected Gavin.

Instead, it was my ex-wife, Sarah.

I almost didn’t answer.

Then I remembered she was supposed to pick up our daughters after school.

“Hey.”