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ERICA'S JOURNEY
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As told by Pam Schmidt, Erica's Grandmother
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On February 7, 1999, Erica returned home from her weekend visitation with her father. As usual, Erica came bouncing through the front door like a tiny, blonde tornado. She ran into her room, fed her two fish, and ran down the steps to give her mother and grandmother hugs.
Erica had been excited for weeks about attending a father/daughter event scheduled for that evening at the Kettering Recreation Center. Unfortunately, the reservations had not been confirmed, and she was upset that she wasn’t going to be able to go.
"Mom, what's for dinner? Grandma, can I have a Coke? Grandpa gave us money for milkshakes on the way home." On and on Erica chattered in the sing-song exuberance of a happy nine-year old.
Quickly becoming bored with putting away her clothes from the weekend and putting her room in order, she asked her mom if she could go a few doors down to play with one of her friends. Erica returned a few minutes later because her friend wasn't home. Always full of energy, she immediately asked permission to take Jaimee, the family dog, for a walk. Misty (Erica's mother) refused to give her permission, explaining, "No, baby, it's drizzling outside."
"Please, Mommy, I'll put on my raincoat," begged Erica.
Giving in to Erica's request because, after all, it's not easy to say "no" to those huge, pleading, hazel-blue eyes, her mother replied, "Oh, alright, but don't even think of walking out that door without your raincoat on!"
Erica gathered up the dog's blue leash and snapped it on his collar. She occasionally took him for a walk when her friends were busy, so Jaimee jumped excitedly at getting to go outside. Their path that day was up to the entrance to the recreation/park complex, which was only about three blocks away.
"See you later," she called out.
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