You’re driving down a road. One you’ve traveled like a million times before.

You hear your phone vibrate.

It's just one text, you think.

You glance down at your phone, taking your eyes off the road.

It's your friend, they said something funny

You laugh underneath your breath, sparing one glance at the road.

You were starting to drift, but with a yank of the wheel you swerve to avoid a mail box.

You glance down at your phone again,

You just have to reply.

With one thumb, you type out your message.

Lol, you say, you're so funny.

Your thumb hovers above send as you reread your message.

Unbeknownst to you, you had starting drifting again, this time to the other lane

Your tire crossed the centerline when you typed the word “so”

Two more seconds and now half the car is in the opposite lane.

You hear another car blare its horn

You look up, phone momentarily forgotten

All you see is another car coming all too fast, although their tires are screeching to a stop

You try to stomp the brakes, but it's too late

You’ve already hit the other car head on

The front of the car crumples as you launch forward in your seat.

Thank god you wore your seatbelt.

Your head hits the wheel and you're bleeding.

Could’ve been worse.

Can't say the same for the other guy.

A total stranger to you.

But they have a name. They have a wife and kids. A house and a dog.

They have a nice life.

Or should i say had.

What can you do?

Go to the funeral?

Mumble out some apologies to the family?

You can go back in time and tell yourself you're not that far from your destination.

You can tell yourself that your friend will understand.

You can tell yourself you will be responsible.

Because it hasn’t happened yet.

And maybe you won't be the guy who walks away if it does.