A Night to Remember Read Free

rest of her life filled with self-pity because she had initially made a mistake in her career choice.
    Eleanor and Mark joined a group of coworkers relaxing near the pond. Everyone stepped back and made room for them. Eleanor received warm greetings along with a teasing comment or two about her extremely late arrival.
    â€œWe’re so glad you are finally here,” Mary said sincerely. “Trevor has been asking about you all morning.”
    â€œHi, Trevor.” Eleanor hunched down and met Mark and Mary’s three-year-old son at eye level. Thanks to the story times she ran at the local library they were good friends.
    â€œHi, Nora.”
    Trevor hid behind his mother’s legs, but peeped out to make sure that Eleanor was watching him. She smiled and wagged her fingers at him and he giggled loudly. Eleanor really enjoyed the little boy’s company even though he tended to be a bit spoiled.
    She had been around enough young children over the past year, however, to realize it wasn’t really Trevor’s fault. His parents, especially his mother, thought everything that Trevor did was truly wonderful. Mary would smile with misty-eyed maternal pride at his every action, even when he was yanking books off the library shelves and throwing them on the floor.
    â€œDid you win any fun prizes today, Trev?” Eleanor asked, knowing that the organized games and activities at the picnic included gifts for all the children.
    â€œA boat,” Trevor announced proudly. He ran off toward the picnic table to retrieve his prize and show Eleanor.
    â€œDon’t get so close to the edge of the pond, dear,” Mary yelled out anxiously. She turned with a smile toward Eleanor and concluded, “It will be a small miracle if he doesn’t end up in that water by the end of the day.”
    â€œMy boat, Nora,” Trevor declared, holding up a sizable plastic boat for Eleanor’s inspection.
    â€œIt’s so cool, Trev!” Eleanor exclaimed to the little boy’s delight. “And it’s green. Your favorite color.”
    â€œGreen boat,” Trevor repeated solemnly, squatting near the edge of the pond. “Watch the green boat ride in the water, Nora.”
    â€œOh no, don’t let the boat slip too far away!” Eleanor exclaimed.
    Since she was the closest adult, she lunged toward the bobbing toy, stretching her body far out over the water. With an audible grunt, Eleanor successfully wound her fingers around the plastic. She turned to straighten up and felt a stinging smack on her leg.
    â€œDon’t touch! That’s my boat, Nora. Mine!” Trevor screamed, swinging his arm back and hitting Eleanor square in the back of the knees a second time.
    It felt like slow motion. Eleanor could feel herself losing her balance, could feel herself falling toward the water. It seemed as though she had all the time in the world to right herself, but in fact it was only seconds. She struggled to move her feet, wildly waving her arms around like a frantic windmill, trying desperately to regain her balance.
    For a split second Eleanor thought she might be spared, but she was too off-kilter. She landed in the water with a giant splash. As the cold wetness hit her, Eleanor could hear Mary’s shriek of distress, could see Mark leaping toward her in a failed rescue attempt.
    Eleanor landed hard on her rump, and for once she was glad of the padding. Thankfully her head didn’t go completely under the water, but the back of her neck and the tips of her shoulder-length hair were submerged.
    For several moments there was utter silence and then everyone began shouting at once.
    â€œAre you hurt?”
    â€œCan you move your legs?”
    â€œDid you get water up your nose?”
    Eleanor let out a short burst of laughter. And then another. Before long she was laughing heartily. Perfect. This was the perfect ending to the day.
    She shook her head and laughed harder, pleased to hear