A gust of wind hit me full force as I exited Trader Joe’s. I wasn’t surprised, though. It had been blustery all day.
My first inkling that it would be a windy day was during my morning commute. I grasped the steering wheel tightly after I felt a strong gust push my car towards the lane to the right. Good thing I drive in the slow lane, I thought.
Throughout the school day, I could see the neighborhood fir trees bowing and swaying. I have a windowless room, but can see outside through the 6th grade locker room. Teachers with windowed rooms commented how distracted the ids were by each mighty gust. I was grateful for my lack of windows.
I drove home from school, gripping the steering wheel tightly once more, knowing I should anticipated wind gusts. The forecast called for snow and ice overnight so I stopped at Trader Joe’s just in case we had a snow day the following day. And that brings me back to Trader Joe’s exit.
I walked to my car and opened the trunk to put in my groceries. It’s the sort of thing you do mindlessly because you’ve done it a million times. This time was different, though. A gust of wind caught the trunk lid just right, send it down on my forearm. I stifled a cry and squeezed my eyes shut to hold back the tears. I was surprised to see no mark when I opened them.
By the time I got home there was a bump, but no discoloration. That came on slowly.As the bump receded, the discoloration developed.
Five days later, it is fading to that sickly, yellowy post-bruise color. Good thing it wasn’t any worse, I keep thinking.
booksandbassets 
Wow! I felt right there next to you with your writing!
Oh my!.. It is amazing how quickly mishaps can occur. So glad it wasn’t more serious.
Yikes. So glad it was not your head under that trunk lid! How many times are we injured doing “the sort of thing you do mindlessly because you’ve done it a million times.” Stay safe!
Ouch! I felt it. Glad it was not any worse.
Every once and awhile we get a reminder of how strong Mother Nature can be! I’m glad you were not hurt worse!
Ouch! Not a fun way to end your day! I love the flow of this piece–I felt the anticipation the whole time I read!
Oh my! That’s one nasty bruise! The wind demands attention, every now and then.
Good writing!
That’s a terrible bruise! Hope you are feeling better soon!
That looks sore! I hope you heal quickly!
Ah, that sickly bruise color. I get queasy just thinking about it. Nearly as queasy as facing the prospect of a windowless classroom whose only view is out through the sixth-grade locker room 😉 You’re a trooper, Adrienne!
Oh, that pesky wind! That was a nasty bruise. Glad it wasn’t worse. I had the wind catch a car door once and spring it so that it wouldn’t close. Did you get any snow? We had two snow days in the Seattle area. So happy since we haven’t had measurable snow in about six years.
Yikes! I am glad it wasn’t worse. It certainly has been blustery in the PNW, I am looking forward to spring.