The Butterfly Effect

I almost never get time for just myself, so I decided to take the long way home today. I had gone through the trouble of rolling down all my windows to make sure I got the maximum airflow. Some of the manual cranks were rusted but, with some elbow grease, I had got them down. I loved my rusted, beat-up lemon of a car. It got me from place to place, and that was good enough for me.

With my sunglasses on and my hair pulled back, I cruised down the highway. Each side was lined with an assortment of beautiful wildflowers; it was spring after all. After yesterday's rain, the air was particularly fresh. The trees protected me from the sun. The perfect amount of light snuck through and caressed my skin with its golden touch.

The variety of flower colors made the black bumper sticking out from the side of the road ever more noticeable. It belonged to a patrol vehicle that had strategically placed itself behind the tree line. I hadn't driven this road in a while, but I knew that they were always there waiting to write a ticket for the next street racer. My foot eased itself off the gas, as I cruised past.

When I knew I was clear, I sped up again, allowing the sweet-smelling air to enter my car. My complete serenity was short-lived as from the corner of my eye I spotted the orange-and-black-winged monster. It was the only reason I never stepped out into the fields to enjoy the flowers firsthand. A monster with a tongue like rolled licorice that, when extended, pierced the poor flowers sucking out their nutrients. Its six legs were like tiny daggers in search of a place to land.

I thought fast and grabbed my window crank. It was a struggle to keep my eyes on the road while I cranked the handle, but soon my clear barrier was up. The creature wouldn't be able to get through my window, and it took a second before I realized that my window was not the only window that was down. I had been a fool and rolled down every single one. I wished at that moment that I could go back into the past and break every single crank, then I wouldn't be faced with such a problem. Even if I were able to reach the other handles I was not strong enough to roll them up. I would have to face the monster with dignity.

I locked my eyes on the road and tried to ignore it. I should have known the moment I saw it, that I would be in danger. The wind blew the butterfly straight into my car. It passed by my eyes as if in slow motion, I could see the flap of its wings. It hit my window with a small Dink.

I groaned out a guttural “Eeeeewwwww” and immediately flapped my hand around like an inflatable tube man. My car was already beginning to swerve, so I grabbed a hold of the wheel. If I kept flailing around I was bound to touch it. I tried to focus back on driving safely but every time it came near me I pulled my hands close. I tried to shrink into my chair.

My heart was beating so loudly I couldn't hear the sirens from behind me. I was only broken out of my techne when I heard the police officer over his speaker tell me to pull over. I followed directions while still paying close attention to where the butterfly was. As soon as I turned off my car it fluttered its tiny wings out and back into the field of flowers.

The police came up to my window and waited patiently as I struggled to roll it back down. At this point, I could see my reflection in his glasses. My eyes were puffy, and my tears had left streaks on my cheeks.

“Ma’am, was there a reason you were swerving like that?” he asked bluntly.

My voice was still shaky, and I was still recovering, so I blubbered out “The butt-”

“Mmhh hmm, let me see your license and registration,” he demanded while looking at me like I was crazy.

I handed him my information, but decided to try to explain what happened. Again my voice couldn't articulate my words, and what I said sounded more like “ the butt….the butt was gonna touch me.”

“So let me try to understand this, you were swerving because you were afraid your butt was gonna touch you?” He paused and smirked a bit. “I don't mean to alarm you but your butt is already touching you.”

I shook my head no. My motions were a bit erratic, I couldn't tell you how many times my head bobbled from left to right. With each shaky movement the police officer grew suspicious,” Have you had anything to drink today?” All I could do was continue to shake my head no.

I know my fear was irrational and my reactions were not exactly normal but I was surprised that the police believed I thought I was drunk. When he asked me to step out of my vehicle I reluctantly followed his directions. Getting out of the car would open me up to possible aerial assaults.

He asked me to breathe into a breathalyzer and of course it came up 0.0. Luckily my body finally started to calm down just in time for the balance test where he asked me to walk in a straight line. There was still something deep inside me that gave me a bad feeling. As I got half way down the line a shadow passed above my head. As I looked up I could see the monarch butterfly closing in. As it got close I took a deep breath and prayed it wouldn't come near me. Maybe today I could face my fears. It inched closer and closer until it landed right on my shoulder.

The whole world fell silent as I turned my head to come face to face with my deepest fear. In nature the vibrant orange colors of its wings serve as a warning sign to let predators know they are toxic. I am human but at that moment I felt a predator, a predator that needed to get the hell away from this thing.

The officer watched as in fear I tried to shoe away the butterfly. My body was mostly frozen except for my hands that didn't want to go near it either. I started fanning it hoping the wind would push it away but the butterfly just sat there enjoying the breeze.

I could hear the officer laughing as he approached me from behind. He reached on my shoulder and gently picked up the butterfly. I immediately jumped back and watched as it flew away into the field again.

It was over, it was gone, at least for now.

The officer stood there laughing at me.

“Am I free to go?” I asked ready to jump back in my car and escape back home

“You’re free to go” The officer looked at me and smiled “next time leave the windows rolled up or another butt might sneak in.”

I rolled my eyes, I knew it was silly, but I couldn't help being scared. Everyone is scared of something. I ran back to my car, rolled up my windows and headed straight home. Might as well break the cranks for my windows because they're never going down again.