“Breadcrumbs” by Michael Salvatore ’22

Breadcrumbs

by Michael Salvatore

AAAAGHHH! I rushed to the bathroom clutching my fist to hold the blood in. “Don’t drip! Don’t drip!” I repeatedly told myself as I ran over the snow-white rug of my living room into the bathroom. Blood began to stream down my hand as I got into the shower to wash it off. The water began to wash down my fully clothed body as I washed off my hand with soap and water in the shower. I watched as the rust-colored water swirled around the drain, dripping down onto the pure white tub and staining it forever red. Once my hand was cleaned off a bit, I immediately heard the creaking of the door, making my heartbeat like a steam engine. I could hear my heartbeat growing as time passed. Standing in that shower, I was soaked. Then I heard it. “Ben! What is all over my carpet?!?” Caroline screamed at the top of her lungs. I sprinted to her aid to find a breadcrumb trail of blood leading straight into our bathroom, tainting the rug. “Well, honey, I was going to cook us a great dinner and while I was dicing some vegetables…” I raised my hand with a smile. “I was almost done cleaning it off when you came.” “Oh my god! I think I see bone. I’m gonna call a Doctor.” She rushed to the phone and started dialing for an ambulance. I looked down at my hand and the sight of some more blood bubbling out made me fall to the ground. BEEEEP! A heart monitor measures my pulse as I wake up surrounded by a doctor, Caroline, and two nurses. “Wha-what happened?” “You collapsed in your house,” a nurse answered, “and your wife called an ambulance for you. You have lost three pints of blood from that one cut. You’re lucky she called us.” I looked right at Caroline and have never felt more love for someone in my entire life. My body became all warm as I looked into her beautiful chocolate eyes. “I’m sorry about the carpet” I said looking down. Caroline let out a laugh. “It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re okay”