A very powerful, tragic story. I can't imagine how horrifying it must have been to cope with that day.
I find it so devastating that woman who lose their husbands (especially when they are so loved) are so floored by it they wish for death, forgetting they have children to look after.
Years later, I can't stop thinking about how hard those hours of uncertainty must have been for her.
I find this the most powerful literary technique here. The flash forward really shows your empathy for your sister and propels us into a future where you reflect on this life changing day. There's an author I like - Alistair Mac Leod - that often stops for this kind of reflection by saying 'even now', showing how long the impact lasts and how his writing is reflecting on the past.
Thanks for sharing.
At times like this, we don't think clearly. It is hard for anyone to lose someone who has been with you for half of your life.
When I wrote that part you quote, I didn't see it as a technique. It is simply a thought I have been living with for years. I appreciate the assessment.
Thanks to you for reading and commenting.