Unconventional Rescue - Adventures of a Housewife

  Hasn't every mom had one of those days? Flo shares the story of one of her memorable days.

Unconventional Rescue - Adventures of a Housewife

By Florence Fox

The sun beat down as I exited the air-conditioned store. I heaved the loaded shopping cart in the right direction and started across the parking lot. My fourteen-month-old son, Laramie, jabbered happily, enjoying his ride. I deposited the groceries in the trunk, and then lifted Laramie out of the cart and into his car seat.

It was hot in the car, and I was anxious to get in and start the air-conditioner. I’ll reach back and buckle the car seat, I decided. To keep Laramie occupied so he wouldn’t crawl out of his car seat, I handed him the car keys and slammed the door. Snatching my purse from the shopping cart, I shoved the cart into the nearby cart corral and reached for the driver’s door. At that instant there was a loud honk and the solemn clunk of doors locking.

The car was locked! My son was inside! I stood weak-kneed. What could I do? I didn’t have a spare key. What if my son suffocated in the heat? Or fell out of his car seat?

I remembered the purse on my arm, and pulled out my phone. My husband was immediately informed of the emergency. “How soon can you get here?” I asked. “It’s hot in the car and we have to unlock it right now.”

“Don’t panic,” Marlin said. “I’ll come as soon as I can.”

“But what can I do now?” I demanded. “Laramie could fall out of his car seat, or start crying for me.” At that moment the trunk lid popped open. “Oh, now he pushed the trunk release button,” I said. “Will that help anything?”

“Great! Sure that will help,” Marlin said. “Climb in the trunk and release the latch to push the seat forward. Then you can crawl through and unlock the car.”

The idea was not a new one. Many times I’d seen Marlin lower the back seat to accommodate an item too large to fit in the trunk.

“But the trunk is full of groceries,” I protested. “How can I do that?”

“If you don’t want to, I can come do it,” Marlin said. “But I’d do exactly the same thing.”

I thought of the fifteen minute drive into town and the time away from work.

“No, don’t come the whole way down here if it’s something I can do,” I said. “I’ll try, and if I can’t get through the trunk, I’ll call you.”

“Okay. Let me know how you make out.”

I glanced around the parking lot. How many people could see? This was something I had never dreamed of doing; going through the trunk of the car to rescue my son. But I would do anything to keep him from harm, even if I looked foolish.

I pushed all the groceries to the side of the car trunk. Hefting myself up, I sat in the trunk and felt along the back of the seat. Ah! the latch. It was easily opened, and with a little effort part of the seat was pushed forward. The position was most awkward, but with some huffing and puffing I hauled myself through the opening and was soon sitting on the back seat beside Laramie. He didn’t appreciate all the effort I had exerted to liberate him, though he did seem surprised to see me enter the car in such a manner.

No doubt some curious spectator was highly entertained by the performance. I could imagine them thinking: You got to be kidding! Surely there is an easier way to get inside a car.

The keys were extracted from Laramie’s grasp, and keys in hand, I exited the back seat of the car with all the dignity I had left. Nonchalantly, I slammed the trunk of the car, and hopped in the driver’s seat.

The experience taught me to never hand keys to children for toys. But it was embarrassment that made me vow: It will be years before I shop there again.

Florence lives in the northwoods of Michigan with her husband and three preschoolers. Her hobbies are writing and baking coffee cakes. A few  months ago she published a book titled My First Deer Hunt. This is a children’s story about the time her husband took their oldest son (then four-years-old) to the woods for his first hunting trip. The story is illustrated with real photos, and professionally designed. Told from a child’s viewpoint, this account will entertain and educate young children who love wildlife. If you would like to order a copy, email Flo at foxden@emypeople.net. The cost for one book is $8.99 plus $2 shipping and handling.

 These are the dear ladies in my writer's group when we were able to meet up last summer. From left to right are... me, Regina Rosenberry, Crystal Steinhower, Florence Fox, and Stephanie Leinbach.

Anyone want to 'fess up and share an embarrassing moment with us in the comments?