Try Again

Prompt:
In your dying moments, you see a “Game Over” screen with two options: Try Again or End Game.

I take short, gasping breaths and lean my head back. I see a bright light coming toward me, and I think this is the end. But then large letters appear in midair, spelling out: “Try Again or End Game.” Shocked, I think about my life and if I would ever want to do it over again. So many chances I didn’t take, so many things I should have said. With a shaky hand, I reach out and press the “Try Again.” button.

I open my eyes and expect to see my smiling mother, or a  nurse, or even a hospital room. Instead I see a paramedic and smell blood. “How old is she?” the paramedic asks. “Four.” Replies a woman, obviously shaken. “I can’t believe my baby was part of a hit and run.” The woman begins to cry and I realize what I’ve done. I don’t get to start my life over again– I get to save somebody else’s life. And now that I’m here, in this body, in this life…

I wish I had pushed End Game.