Tears covered her cheeks.
The rumbling engine prevented me from understanding her words.
“Ellie!”
Frank placed the bus into drive.
I moved backward when it started rolling.
“STOP!”
For several strides, I followed beside the bus, lifting both arms.
“THAT’S MY CHILD!”
The bus continued down the road.
Ellie placed her small palm against the glass.
And suddenly, she disappeared.
I remained in the roadway, trembling.
I vaguely recall hearing an engine accelerate somewhere behind me.
I also recall a neighbor shouting my name across the street.
But neither detail seemed important.
I had watched someone leave with my daughter still aboard.
My hands trembled so much that my phone nearly slipped away.
I called 911.
“911. What’s the address of your emergency?”
“My daughter’s school bus driver just drove away with her!”
“Ma’am, is your daughter currently on the bus?”
“Yes! She’s nine! He refused to let her off!”
