She was late that morning, it was her turn to bring the donuts. Hurrying along, not watching where she was going she stepped right on it. The Stop Sign had been hanging on for weeks. First it was two bolts, then one. Now it was on the ground. She looked up. Several eyes looked away. They had seen it too. They had all seen it. She would call someone as soon as she got to her office. No, she had to make the coffee to go with the donuts. Surely someone else would call. Probably someone already had. The workman were on their way.

The sound was deafening. She thought she felt the building move. Everyone went to the windows. There was black smoke rising between the buildings. She looked around, every window was filled with faces. She recognized some from the street.

A mother and three young children had died instantly, the truck drive was unhurt, and hundreds would live with regret.