I am on the point of losing it. My knuckles are white from clutching the strap of my backpack. Katie’s sick…really sick.
What am I going to do?
I don’t even know why I went to class. I don’t think I absorbed a word that was said. I’m in a complete fog, distracted by my ever-increasing set of problems.
I trudge back to my car. There’s a parking ticket on the windshield.
What the…?
I glance at the meter. It’s expired.
I sit on the curb and put my head in my hands.
Some punk walking by mocks me.
Yeah, well he doesn’t know what I’m dealing with.
I get up, snatch the ticket, and get into the freezing car. I can see my breath in the air.
I know what I have to do, but I don’t want to do it. Admitting defeat is never easy. Chalking up yet another failure isn’t something I relish. But I have to face facts. I can’t handle this by myself, especially when I have Katie to think about.
With her welfare in the forefront of my mind, I pull my phone out of my pocket and dial.
“Hello?”
“Dad, it’s Adam.”
“Adam, good to hear from you, son,” he says. “How’s it going? It’s been a while.”
“Yeah, sorry about that,” I reply. “I’ve been busy and…”
“No need to explain. It’s just good to hear your voice,” he responds. “Have you been working long hours on the ambulance?”
“That’s what I called to talk to you about.”
“Okay…”
“Dad, I’ve been suspended.”
“Oh, Adam,” he sighs. “What happened?”
“It’s a long story, and…”
“Adam…what happened?”
He isn’t going to let this go. Pretty much what I thought. I might as well tell him.
“I got a girl’s number off a patient’s chart, and I got caught.”
There…satisfied?
“After how hard you worked to rebuild your life, you go and do something as stupid as that…”
“Please, Dad, don’t,” I beg. “Just don’t.”
“When are you going to take some responsibility for your actions and stop behaving like a child? Working in the medical field is serious business,” he implores. “You can’t go screwing around, doing whatever the hell you want.”
“I wasn’t, it’s just…”
“Just another girl who turned your head,” he interrupts. “Adam, when are you ever gonna learn? After all we did to bail you out of California…”
“I know, and I’m grateful for everything that you and Mom did. I am,” I state. “But that girl whose number I took…Katie…she’s living with me now and she’s…”
“What?” he asks. “Are you kidding me? She’s living with you?”
“Yeah, and she’s really sick,” I convey. “Dad, I’m begging you. I know you bailed me out before, and I’m nineteen now and I shouldn’t keep asking for your help, but…”
“What do you mean she’s sick?”
“She woke up this morning with a fever and her glands are swollen. She can barely talk,” I explain. “I didn’t want to leave her, but she insisted I go to class. She called me a little while ago and said that the medicine the doctor ordered might be expensive. And she needs it, Dad, but I don’t think I’ll even have enough to cover the rent this month and…”
“Adam, calm down. Take a deep breath,” he says. “You have a knack for getting in over your head with girls, but I’m not going to let you drown, especially when it comes to someone’s health. How much is the prescription?”
“She thinks somewhere between $250 and $300.”
“All right, I’ll wire you some money, enough to cover your expenses for the month,” he says. “You can pay me back when you’re able.”
“Dad, you don’t have to…”
“Adam, I want to, okay? It’s just a loan.”
“I promise,” I say. “I’ll pay you back.”
“I know you will,” he says. “Is there anything else you need?”
“No…but Dad?”
“Yeah, son?”
“Thanks.”
I toss and turn. The pillowcase is drenched in sweat. My consciousness is adrift. I don’t know if I’m at home or in Adam’s bed. I feel delirious. My heart is pounding in an unnatural rhythm.
What’s happening to me?
I hear someone calling my name.
“Katie? Oh God, Katie? I’m here, baby, I’m here. Damn it, I should never have left you alone.”
Adam.
He’s back. But my eyelids are too heavy. I don’t have the strength to open them.
“You’re burning up,” he says. “I have to take you to the hospital.”
I want to say no. I open my mouth, but all that comes out is a pitiful moan.
“That’s it. C’mon, we’re going,” he urges, lifting me into his arms.
I try to protest. I’m a mess. My hair is plastered to my head. I’m still in my pajamas. I can’t go out like this. But I’m not strong enough to put up a fight. Before I know it, my coat is draped over my shoulders and Adam is buckling me into the passenger seat of his car.
I have to stay awake, to let him know I’m not that bad. I can carry on a conversation with him, no problem. But the minute he starts the car, I’m out cold.
***
The next thing I hear is the incessant beeping of a heart monitor.
Where am I?
My whole body shakes. The bed on which I’m reclining jostles violently.
“For God’s sake, slow down, Chuck!”
Chuck?
“You want your precious girlfriend to make it, don’t you?”
All I hear are voices floating around me.
“Take it easy, Chuck. We have her stabilized back here. No need to rush.”
“Yeah, listen to Charlie. Slow the hell down.”
“Fine.”
The stretcher I’m on flies forward as Chuck slams on the brakes.
“That’s it!” I hear Adam’s voice moving by me.
“Sit down, Adam. It’s not worth it.”
“Yeah, listen to the old man.”
I hear Adam breathing heavily, seething inside. I have to stop this. I don’t know how I ended up here, but somehow I’m back in a Tri-County ambulance. Again.
My mouth is so dry. Struggling to sit up, I manage to get out in a raspy voice, “Adam, don’t.”
A shocked silence fills the rig as everyone turns to look at me.
“Katie! You’re awake,” Adam cries, burying me in his arms.
“Give her some room to breathe, kid,” Charlie says, looking at me with concern in his eyes.
“Well if it isn’t little miss ‘Call Me Maybe’ back from the dead,” Chuck spits out.
“That’s about enough, Chuck,” Tommy says in a menacing voice no one knew he possessed.
Chuck’s eyes meet Tommy’s in the rearview mirror. He doesn’t say anything, but there is an inherent threat in his non-response.
“Tommy, you didn’t have to do that,” Adam mutters under his breath.
“Yeah, I did,” Tommy replies. “He’s way outta line. Just focus on Katie, and ignore that little prick.”
“What happened?” I ask. “Why am I here?”
“You passed out as soon as I got you in my car,” Adam explains, stroking the side of my face. “I called Charlie to see if he was in the vicinity, and thankfully he was only a couple of miles away. He made it to my place in no time.”
“Yeah, we’re usually never up your way, but there was a huge fire at a farm right down the road. It seemed like every unit responded. We were just standing around when I got your call, Adam,” Charlie responds. “I’m glad we were able to help this little lady.”
“I’m so sorry, Adam,” I answer. “I’ve never passed out before. I don’t know what happened.”
“You were severely dehydrated. Did you have anything to drink today?” Adam asks.
“I meant to have some juice, but I must have forgotten. I got really tired and went back to bed,” I explain. “I didn’t wake up until I heard you come home.”
“We started a saline drip, and that should help,” Tommy pipes in. “And look, we’re already at the hospital.”
Chuck pulls the rig into the hospital’s unloading dock. Without a backward glance, he gets out and slams the door.
“Guess he’s not gonna help us unload the stretcher, huh?” Charlie asks.
“Doesn’t look like it,” Adam grunts.
“That’s okay. Let him keep adding to his list of offenses,” Tommy responds.
“What does it matter? He always gets away with everything,” Adam protests.
“Not this time,” Tommy says, with a smile.
“You’re cooking up something. Spill it, partner,” Charlie implores.
“I have a tiny video camera hidden on the dashboard. His uncle’s gonna see his nephew’s true colors, once and for all,” Tommy explains.
“Oh Tommy, you’re good, man,” Adam chuckles.
“I told you we had your back, Adam. Didn’t I?” Tommy asks. “This sucker’s going down…for good.”
As Charlie and Tommy are wheeling me into the ER, Little Miss Perfect steps in front of the stretcher.
“I’m afraid I can’t let you go any farther, Adam. You know the rules. Family only,” she says with a malicious smile.
“But…” Adam starts, but Charlie cuts him off.
“He knows, Suzanne,” Charlie says. “We can take it from here, kid.”
“Charlie, I want to…” Adam replies, trying to check his anger.
“Bide your time,” Charlie whispers so only Adam can hear. “We’re this close to getting you reinstated. Don’t blow it now. I promise you on my life that I’ll keep tabs on Katie for you, okay? Now turn around and find a seat in the waiting area.”
A sort of pleading desperation fills Adam’s eyes as he looks from me to Charlie. Moving quickly, before he can change his mind, he kisses me on the forehead before throwing open the doors to the waiting room.
I can tell he’s beyond upset. I am, too. I want him here with me. It’s where he belongs.
“Who’s the next of kin?” Suzanne continues, sinking her claws in even deeper.
I yearn to say Jennifer, but I’m caught in a technicality.
“My father,” I mutter.
“Phone number?” she goes on ruthlessly.
I spit the digits at her. I don’t even want to think about Adam and Dad having another confrontation. Why did I have to end up in the hospital? Why didn’t I drink the damn juice when I had the chance? Now things are going to get ugly, and it’s my fault.
“I’ll call him right now,” she smirks, before hustling away.
I really hope Dad doesn’t show. Let him ignore the call or, better yet, hang up when he hears it concerns me. He obviously doesn’t care about my health if he wasted no time in removing me from his insurance. Why would he help me now?
But I underestimate how much he enjoys being in control of my fate.
Within five minutes, Suzanne returns. She’s like a piece of gum that’s impossible to scrape off the bottom of your shoe.
“Your father’s on his way. He said he’d be here in under thirty minutes,” she gloats.
“Faster than a pizza delivery,” I say sarcastically.
She gives a fake little laugh before sauntering back to her station.
I need to warn Adam. Charlie and Tommy are busy filling out paperwork at the desk. I try to get their attention, but their backs are to me.
The IV from the ambulance is still connected to my arm. I don’t even give it a second thought. I rip the connector from my vein and hurtle off the stretcher. Blood immediately starts to drip from my open wound, but I don’t care. I have to get to Adam before Dad does.
But I’m not fast enough.
“Hey…hey, where are you going, miss?” a nurse shouts, from across the room. “Get back here!”
I make a run for it, slamming my body through the double doors. I’m in a connecting hallway with multiple exit points. I vaguely remember this part of the hospital after Grandma’s accident. It has to be the large door on the right. But my delay costs me.
“Miss, you’re going to have to come with us,” a linebacker-sized orderly says, securing me by the arm.
I wince in pain as he catches me right where I’m bleeding. My vision starts to blur from the burst of exertion. And I can feel myself falling. No, I have to stay awake. I have to warn Adam. But once again, my body succumbs to the blackness.
What is taking so long? Where are Charlie and Tommy?
I continue to pace next to the windows in the ER waiting area. I’ve delivered numerous patients on the other side of these doors, but I’ve never truly felt the agony of those on this side. The endless waiting is excruciating.
I halt my relentless march and press my forehead against the coolness of the glass. I hate not being by Katie’s side. This forced separation is killing me as the minutes slowly tick by.
The events of what occurred when I got home keep replaying in my mind. The image of Katie’s pale face pressed against the pillow haunts me. For a split second, I thought she wasn’t breathing. Her heartbeat was so shallow. The fear that coursed through me at that moment was like nothing I’ve experienced before.
I’ve seen death on the job—bloody, tragic death. Some sights are permanently burned into my brain. They’re so gruesome. But it’s Katie’s stricken form in my bed that cuts me to the quick.
“Where’s Katie Turner?”
I’m thrown out of my morbid daydream.
I can’t believe it. No way Katie would call him, of all people.
I turn around guardedly. There he is, Katie’s father. His haughty stance mirrors the demanding tone of his voice.
“Oh yes, Mr. Turner. Right this way, please,” Suzanne says, looking pointedly at me.
Her gaze alerts Katie’s father to my presence. His eyes immediately lock with mine.
Not here, not now
, I silently implore him. But he doesn’t care. He starts right for me.
“Mr. Turner, please,” I begin, holding up my hands. I’m not going to fight him, but he has other ideas.
“You son of a bitch,” he roars before ramming his fist into the side of my face.
I stumble back against the window, hoping to brace myself, but I’m not fast enough. He pounds my head into the glass so hard it shatters.
I hear the other people in the waiting room gasp in disbelief as the frigid winter air rushes in.
I’m still conscious, but barely. One more blow to the head and I’ll be out. I struggle to get to my feet, but I gain little traction on the broken glass. I collapse again and a thousand little cuts permeate my side.
Blood streams down my face, temporarily blinding me. I can’t see where he is. I’m afraid to use my arm to wipe my eyes in case it’s covered in shards of glass. All I can do is brace myself against the impending onslaught.
But it never comes.
Charlie and Tommy move in and restrain Katie’s father by the arms, forcibly holding him back. They fight to maintain their grip on him as a large orderly from the back, along with a security guard, move to detain him.
I have to hold on. I can’t slip away now. Katie needs me. But the trauma inflicted on my battered skull is too much to endure. As I start to black out, my head nearly hits the floor again, but someone moves in to cushion my fall.