"It's gonna be okay, maam," the kind officer said.

O-o-o-ostrich.  O-o-o-onomatopoeia.  O-o-o-o-otter.  Olive!  O-o-o-omelet.  O-o-o-orange.  O-o-o-occupant.  O-o-o-o-o-o-Osterizer.  Octagon!  Opera.....

"Don't worry, folks, she's not choking.  She's not off her rocker.  She's a preschool teacher," said the officer.  "Step back everybody, give her some room.  Make way! Clear a path! Short vowels coming through!"

"The phonetimedics are here, ma'am.  We're gonna start you on an IV drip of initial letter sounds right away.  Get you some oxygen, too."

Thank heaven the emergency phonetimedics made it through the snow and ice.  I survived to live another snow day.

© 2011 Nancy L. Ruder