Page 121 of Finish Line

As I shake her, though, I realize her chest isn’t rising.

I go into save Mom mode and place my fingers on her neck. Please let me find a pulse. But there’s nothing. I perform CPR on her.

I can’t believe this. She had everything she ever wanted.

I pant as I keep up my compressions.

I don’t know how long I’m doing compressions for when Nick walks in.

“Nick, call 9-1-1!” I shout, out of breath, as I keep counting off the compressions in my head. “Come on, Mom. Don’t do this.”

Nick puts the phone on speaker, then takes over the CPR.

“I need you to tell me what happened,” the dispatcher says.

“I don’t know.” Tears slide down my face. “I came home and found her on the floor. I thought she passed out. But when I rolled her over, I found a bottle of pills, and she wasn’t breathing.”

Nick counts in the background.

“Okay, miss, help is on the way. I want you to work with your brother to keep doing the compressions until they arrive. Can you do that?” The dispatcher’s voice guides me, keeping me rooted.

Per the dispatcher’s instructions, I switch out with Nick when he tires, counting out loud at their request.

Two EMTs come running in. One takes over the CPR while the other EMT jabs a naloxone pen against her thigh before moving to cut her shirt and bra open and putting the shock pads on her.

More EMTs file in, and Nick and I move back to give them room to work.

Luke runs in, then stops, taking in what’s happening. When his eyes land on me, his shoulders relax, then his brows pinch. He rushes over, wrapping me in his arms as they shock her.

It takes two jolts before the heart monitor registers an unsteady rhythm.

“Let’s move it!” one of the EMTs shouts.

They secure Mom on a gurney and wheel her out. Lea and Clara watch from their house as they load Mom into the back of the ambulance. Nick, Luke, and I come outside, then I lock the door.

Nick and Luke nod at me.

“We’ll be right behind you,” Luke says.

“You don’t have to. I’m used to this,” I say to him. “Nick, can you contact your dad?”

I climb into the back of the ambulance. The doors shut behind me before he answers. As soon as the ambulance starts rolling, the siren whoops.

One of the EMTs with me in the back asks me questions about her health history.

At my ready answers, he gives me a sad smile. “Been here before?”

Numb, I nod as I stare at my mother’s unconscious body.

When we arrive at the emergency room, they rush Mom back. A nurse points me to the waiting room.

People are everywhere, some in pain, some in tears. I find a seat in the back corner and wait.

I believed her when she said she changed, but not even love could fix her. I’m angry at her for doing this to Peter, Nick, and me. Hell, even Hannah is going to be devastated over this.

“Shelby!” I glance up at the sound of my name being called and find Cam jogging toward me.

“Why are you here?” I ask, confused.

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