6 seconds

In six seconds, your whole life can change.


The evening school bell rang, as we were all let out of class for the last time. Graduation is over. Ben and I stood there looking at the tiny brick building in which we had been held captive for so many years. The Sun was out. Just a few fluffy White clouds in the sky. Ben put his arm around me, and smiled. He has been my best friend my whole life. Through piercings, and tattoos, through Pokemon and skateboarding, through my parents Divorce, and through so many other countless times.
'Tonight is Daryl's party, you wanna to go?' Ben asked with an evil grin.
'Sure man, but I am NOT drinking again! Remember what happened last time??' I said as we started towards my shiny purple Dodge Stratus.
'You bet, I have never seen anyone get into so many fights in one night!' Ben joked innocently.
'Yeah well no more drinking.'

After I dropped Ben off and returned home, I found my mother cooking in the Kitchen. Oh man, that Chili she made always smelled perfect. It was like I could taste the meat, and beans, and other goodness floating in the air. She didn't say anything to me though, probably had another rough day. When my parents split I moved in with my Mom and little brother. Life wasn't easy for us. My Mom had suffered through Kidney failure and couldn't work, and my little brother had as much trouble with bullies at school, as I did. Needless to say, things were not easy. I took a nice long shower, got dressed up in a pair of my dads old torn jeans, and some random band t shirt laying on my messy  bedroom floor. I hopped in my car and headed for Daryl's house.

As I was driving it hit me that in a matter of weeks, I will be off to college. Living off a Soccer Scholarship. Doing what I had always dreamed. Living on my own, working for myself, paying my own bills, and being a real college student. The first in my family. I can't wait.

Daryl lived in a 2 story Victorian house. It was huge. 3 car garage, a TV in every room, and tons of space for an awesome party. There was at least 40 cars, and it was only 8 pm. I saw Ben waiting for me by the front door. He was talking to Kelsey, my high school sweetheart, as most would put it. We have been together for 4 years now. Longer than any couples my age had lasted. She was extra gorgeous tonight. Long dark blond hair, blue green eyes, and you could feel the kindness and life flowing off of her. She was my soul mate.

We all chatted for a while, and hung out listening to music till about 10:30pm. That's when C.J. got there, and he was already as drunk as one person could be. Standing at least a foot taller than I, he was mean, lean, and a pure asshole. He was always bigger than everyone in our grade, as he was a bit dumb and had failed a few times. Short dark hair, and he resembled an Ox who had been shaved and was standing on its heine legs. He loved to knock down the little kids in the hallways, and the usual bully stuff. But he had been the bain of my high school career. Photoshopping pictures of me doing disgusting things and posting them all over school. Jumping me in the bathroom, spitting on me. You name it, he did it. Kelsey, Ben, Daryl, and I were in the Kitchen laughing about a stupid joke Daryl had just told, when C.J. came over to me with a crowd of people at his heel.

'Aww look Donovan thinks he is hot shit with his pretty little clothes and new haircut!' C.J. said arrogantly
'C.J. your drunk, and I dont want a fight man, seriously, I don't need this shit tonight, and neither do you.'I said in my calmest, non threatening voice.
' Leave him alone C.J., he didnt do anything to you!!!' Kelsey pleaded.
'WHATS A MATTER PUSSY? GOTTA LET YOUR WOMAN STAND UP FOR YOU!'

and at that moment, C.J. reached out, and with his long arms, and shoved Kelsey down onto the kitchen floor.

Kelsey always told me that kindness is one of the most important things in life. I am a peaceful guy.
I don't like to fight. But I had to do something.

'You have to stop him, you have to save her. Stand up Donovan. Stand up.' I heard the voice in my head repeating over and over. And then....

Time stopped.

I saw Kelsey fall, and I saw everyone laughing. I saw C.J.'s overjoyed face. And then....I saw Red.

'START THE CAR DUDE F***in HURRY HE's COMING AFTER US!!!!!' Ben screamed as we raced down route 75 fleeing The chaos of what had just happened.
'Donovan what are we going to do??' Kelsey said frantically crying in the passenger seat.
'I cant believe you broke his nose dude, I have never seen anyone hit him!' Ben said with a look of jealousy on his face.
'Dude he is right behind us!! OH MY GOD HE's GOING TO HIT US!!'

At that moment, when his Big Red pickup, slammed into my bumper, everything went into slow motion.

I saw my car drifting left of center. I saw the Station Wagon. I saw Kelsey's face covered in tears.
And then... I saw nothing but darkness.

I awoke 2 weeks later in a hospital bed. Everything was extremely bright. The walls, the sheets, the floor, all of it was white. The doctors told me, I would never walk again. Sounds so fake doesn't it. Like in a movie. But this is real life. I will never hold myself up ever again. Never dance at my wedding, never...oh my god...

'WHERE IS KELSEY AND BEN?' I was shouting now.
'WHERE ARE THEY!?'

That's when the doctored downed his head. Shock set in, and I just sat there.
I had missed their funerals. I was told the family in the station wagon was fine in the wreck. C.J. was as well. I should have never chosen violence. It was Daryl's party, he could have made him leave. Alcohol, violence, and a heartless youth had ruined my life.I never made it to college that summer. I fought the hate, I fought the fear. And after a year of drowning in my own misery as well as multiple bottles of Vodka, I decided its time, for me to stand up.

After I got my associates as an English Major, I became a teacher at Loraine High School. My very own High school.
I had made it by, even without my scholarship. I was on my own. Earning my own keep. But I was missing two very important people.

Kelsey, and Ben.

They were killed in a wreck that could have been avoided. It took them 6 seconds to die that night.

The 6 seconds that it took me to break C.J.'s nose and sentence them to a drunk behind the wheel, that ended their lives.

6 seconds could be all it takes, one choice, one decision that will affect the rest of your life.

I now speak to high school kids about what happened that night. And how they can prevent it from happening to them.
How they can love each other. I have one special poem, that I love to end ever speech with. It was Kelsey's favorite.
I hope that You can take my story, and apply it to your life. You never know when your 6 seconds will come.


Through this toilsome world, alas!
Once and only once I pass;
If a kindness I may show,
If a good deed I may do To a suffering fellow man,
Let me do it while I can.
No delay, for it is plain
I shall not pass this way again. - Anon