I went to a party, Mom, I remembered what you said.
You told me not drink, Mom, so I drank soda instead.
I really felt proud inside, Mom, the way you said I would.
I didn't drink and drive, Mom, even though the others said I should.
I know I did the right thing, Mom, I know you are always right.
Now the party is finally ending, Mom, as everyone is driving out of sight.
As I got into my car, Mom, I knew I'd get home in one piece.
Because of the way you raised me, so responsible and sweet.
I started to drive away, Mom, but as I pulled out into the road,
the other car didn't see me, Mom, and hit me like a load.
As I lay there on the pavement, Mom, I heard the policman say,
the other guy is drunk, Mom, and now I'm the one who will pay.
I'm lying here dying, Mom, I wish you'd get here soon.
How could this happen to me, Mom? My life just burst like a balloon.
There is blood all around me, Mom, and most of it is mine.
I heard the medic say, Mom, I'll die in a short time.
I just wanted to tell you, Mom, I swear I didn't drink.
It was the others, Mom. The others didn't think.
He was probably at the same party as I.
The only difference is he drank and I will die.
Why do people drink, Mom? It can ruin your whole life.
I'm feeling sharp pains now. Pains just like a knife.
The guy who hit me is walking, Mom, and I don't think it is fair.
I'm lying here dying, Mom, and all he can do is stare.
Tell my brother not to cry, Mom. Tell Daddy to be brave.
And when I go to heaven, Mom, put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave.
Someone should have told him, Mom, not to drink and drive.
If only they had told him, Mom, I would still be alive.
My breath is getting shorter, Mom, I'm becoming very scared.
Please don't cry for me, Mom. When I need you, you were always there.
I have one last question, Mom, before I say goodbye.
I didn't drink and drive, Mom, so why am I the one to die?
I remember how I wheedled the
car out of mom. "Special Favor," I
pleaded. "All the kids drive." When the
2:50 bell rang, I threw all my
books in the locker. I was free until
8:40 tomorrow morning! I ran to
the parkiing lot, excited at the
thought of driving a car and being
my own boss. Free!
It doesn't matter how the accident happened.
I was
goofing off---going too fast. Taking crazy
chances. But I was enjoying my
freedom and having fun.
The last thing I remember was
passing an old lady who seemed to
be going awfully slow. I heard the
deafening crash and felt a terrible
jolt. Glass and steel flew everywhere.
My whole body seemed to
be turning inside out. I heard myself scream.
Suddenly I awakened; it was very
quiet. A police officer was standing
over me. Then I saw my doctor. My
body was mangled. I was saturated
with blood. Pieces of jagged glass
were sticking out all over. Strange
that I couldn't feel anything.
Hey, don't pull that sheet over
my head! I can't be dead. I'm only 17,
I've got a date tonight. I'm supposed
to grow up and have a wonderful life.
I haven't lived yet. I can't be dead.
Later I was placed in a drawer.
My folks had to identify me. Why
did they have to see me like this?
Why did I have to look at mom's
eyes when she faced the most terrible
ordeal of her life? Dad suddenly
looked like an old man. He told
the man in charge, "Yes he is my son."
The funeral was a wierd experience.
I saw all my relatives and
friends walk toward the casket.
They passed by, one by one,
and looked at me with the saddest eyes
I've ever seen. Some of my buddies
were crying. A few of the girls
touched my hand and sobbed as
they walked away.
Please~somebody~wake me up!
Get me out of here! I can't bear
to see my mom and dad so broken
up. My grandparents are so racked
with grief they can hardly walk. My
brothers and sisters are like zombies.
They move like robots. In
a daze, everybody. No one can believe this.
And I can't believe it, either.
Please don't bury me! I'm not
dead! I have a lot of living to do!
I want to laugh and run again. I want
to sing and dance. Please don't put
me in the ground. I promise if you
give me one more chance, God, I'll
be the most careful driver in the whole world.
All I want is one more chance. Please, God, I'm only 17!
