WESTSIDE — It was just to be a trip back to Gravette. Nothing unusual, even though the sky was dark and raindrops splattered the windshield.
Suddenly it all changed. The cell phone rang and the voice on the other end of the signal issued the warning. There was danger ahead. A storm, a dangerous one, heading directly toward the car that was traveling west on Interstate 44.
Jayna Cardetti, Communications Coordinator for Ozarks CommunityHospital in Gravette, listened to the words. There was also a noticeable pickup in the rainfall. And the sky was ominously darker.
She was nearing Joplin and ready to turn off the interstate onto Highway 71 on her way back to Benton County. She turned south.
Wind-driven rain pelted the windshield. There was a great uneasiness in the air. Jayna joined several other motorists under the shelter of a highway overpass.
Unlike the tragedy that thousands of Joplin residents experienced, Jayna’s story has a happy ending. Although another car under the overpass was damaged, Jayna’s car only suffered a noticeable scratch caused by flying debris. Then it was over.
Only later Jayna learned of the horror she had been about to drive into. Only later did her emotions react to the extent of the tragedy that had unfolded just a few miles from her.
She is thankful. Very thankful for that phone call.
Dodie Evans is the editor emeritus of the Westside Eagle Observer and may be contacted by e-mail at [email protected].
Opinion, Pages 6 on 06/08/2011