This assignment was suppose to show the passage of time

While the backhoe rumbled outside, I folded clothes out of the dryer. 

Oh sure, country living with all the advantage of living in town. No one bothered to tell me about the vicious trees in the back yard. Can’t keep their thirsty, voracious roots out of the line to the septic tank.  Three times in as many months. Dig up the old pipes and put down new ones? Sure. Like I’m made of money.

 

A sudden thud left the gas pipe over my head vibrating. The engine sounds stopped. In the silence that followed air—no gas rushed through the pipe above. With pounding heart I gathered three year-old David in my arms. We had to get out. Now! On weak jelly legs I moved toward the stairs. Twelve steps stretched a mile before me. Faster, faster I must make my legs move faster. Two steps at a time the baby in my arms and still it took forever before my trembling hand turned the doorknob at the top of the stairs.