It was 10:30pm and Dawn had just finished changing Riley and stripping her bed. She was now sleeping in Dawn’s mother’s office after having an accident in bed. Riley was 4 1/2 and had NEVER had an accident since she potty trained herself just 2 months after her second birthday.

Dawn wondered if it was because the sitter forgot to have her go before bed, or because she was too tired from not napping to wake up, or if the fire drill at school today literally scared the piss out of her.

It was a surprise fire drill so although Riley was supposed to get advanced warning, none was given today, for whatever reason. At pick up, Riley’s teacher told Dawn that Riley was terrified but was able to calm down very quickly and was very brave.

Dawn knew that over time and as Riley grew, she would learn to handle her fear and initial shock from that awful sound. But Dawn also knew exactly what she feels because every fucking fire alarm does the same thing to her.

It brought her back to that moment. That goddamned moment…and Dawn relived it…with every blaring wail of an alarm or siren, she was back in the living room of her house grabbing Riley and Harrison and running like hell because something wasn’t right…

So who knows why Riley had an accident Dawn was sure it was just that: an accident. But as a concerned mother, she’ll wonder and worry for the rest of her life…