I was almost there when I heard my mother scream my name. The sound filled the house. I turned sharply and rushed to their room, nearly falling on the floor as I jumped through the door. Mom leaned over Dad. He clutched his chest and moaned.
“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” I rushed over to their phone and called an ambulance. Then, I dropped beside him. “Dad, don’t leave me. Don’t fucking leave me.” I had no idea what to do. The ambulance was on its way to take him to the county hospital where he would be treated.
I couldn’t do shit for Dad like this. All the money in the world wouldn’t do him a damn bit of good right now. Once we got him to the hospital, I could talk to some of my contacts and get someone out here for him.
“Dad,” I whispered, realizing it was Christmas.
Mom sobbed quietly and clutched him to her body. Time seemed to stop. One thought flashed through my head over and over. I wished Rebecca was here at my side. I needed her arms, her strength, and her love to get me through this. I had no idea how I’d keep it together if this took a turn for the worse.
I wasn’t sure if hours passed or just minutes before we heard the sirens. I stumbled to my feet and answered the door. The police chief himself was here with the ambulance. That was one positive aspect of small-town living. He pushed his way inside, and I directed him to the bedroom.
My world was chaos. The paramedics shoved a nitroglycerin pill in his mouth before loading him into the ambulance. Mom rushed inside with him. I told her I’d be right behind them.
I ran to my room and grabbed my phone. I needed Rebecca. I couldn’t do this on my own.
The police chief clapped me on the shoulder when I reappeared. “Austin. I’ll take you to the hospital. You shouldn’t be driving in this state, son.” He looked at me worriedly.
I nodded slowly. “Good idea.”
I followed him to the tired looking cruiser. He opened the door for me, and I slid into the seat. I was useless right now. I felt empty and numb.
I needed Dad.
And I needed Rebecca. I found her name in my phone and opened a new text message. My breath sounded ragged and strained, and I tried to think of what to say.
Me: I need you. County hospital. It's Dad. Hurry.
I dropped the phone as the chief fired up the sirens. He rushed us to the hospital. I was more afraid of changes in my life than ever before.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Rebecca
I finished some dishes and sang along to Christmas songs playing through my phone. Kim and I would be going to Austin’s soon, and I smiled at the thought. The sound of a text message cut through the air, interrupting the music.
I dried my hands and walked over, tossing the towel over my shoulder before I picked up my phone. I read the message from Austin and gasped. Tears filled my eyes.
“No, no, no.” Panic gripped me. I took a deep breath and tried to calm down. But I couldn’t. All I could think of was getting to Austin.
I slipped my feet into my sneakers by my door and shrugged on a fleece jacket. I was just opening the front door when I realized I still wore my pajamas.
“Damn it,” I cursed and went to change into something more appropriate.
There was a knock at the door, and I paused.
“Sis?” Kim called. I yanked open the door. “What’s wrong?” She looked at me, and her face dropped.
“Austin’s dad is going to the county hospital. I need to get there, but…” I waved my hand over my outfit, and she surveyed me quickly.
I assumed it was his father’s heart, but Austin didn’t say. I didn’t ask him anything else about his father’s condition. It was obvious that Austin was already suffering.
“Go change into some jeans,” Kim said. “I’ll take you, and we’ll be there soon.”
I hurried to my room and threw on some jeans. My hair was a mess. I pulled it into a messy bun and rushed to the door where Kim was waiting for me. She wrapped an arm around me, walked me to the car, and settled me inside before starting the engine.
Tears slid down my cheeks as we drove to the hospital. It was a few towns over. In theory, it wasn’t far, but under the circumstances, it felt like it was on the other side of the world.
Was Mel okay? Was he going to make it? Was his mom handling this okay?