Page 29 of Summer Message

She starts to fight me, but then gives in when she tries to sit up and screams from the agony. I debate calling the ambulance for her and decide to do it. I couldn’t carry her where she wasn’t in any pain. Kristina tells me that I’m overreacting. I call anyway, then run downstairs to let the paramedics in.

“Thanks for coming. I hated to call you, but she’s in a lot of pain and I couldn’t move her.”

“Do you know what happened?” The female paramedic asks me as we go up the stairs.

“She was at a high school football game tonight and was waiting for me to come out of the school. I coach the football team. She was telling me how much pain she was in. I put on Penetrex, and used a heating pad earlier, and she was sleeping for about three hours or so before waking up crying.”

“I told him not to call you,” she apologizes as we walk in the room.

“Can you stand on your own, ma’am?” The paramedic asks and she shakes her head. “Then it’s a good thing he called us. We’re going to check some vitals. Is there a chance that you could be pregnant? When was your last period?”

“It was about three weeks ago and I don’t think I could be pregnant. We use protection every time.”

The paramedic jots that down.“We’re going to start an IV. Your blood pressure is high, which could be caused by the pain.”

They slide the backboard under her, and she cries out in pain. I cringe because there’s nothing I can do. They won’t administer pain meds until she has a pregnancy test at the hospital. I ask what hospital and they tell me.

“I’ll meet you there.” I tell the paramedic. I lean down to Kristina as she lays on the stretcher. “I love you. I’ll meet you there as soon as I can.”

“I love you too.” She cries as she lets go of my hand.

I follow the paramedics downstairs, grabbing my hoodie, wallet, cell phone, and keys that are next to the door. The ambulance is already gone by the time I get outside. I drive as fast as I can without breaking any laws.

I pull into the parking garage since this is the same hospital that I work at, and park the truck in my normal spot. I ride the elevator to the floor that the emergency department is on. I see Maxine is working triage. She’s one of the nurses that I went through orientation with.

“Hey, Maxine. I’m looking for my girlfriend, Kristina West. She was brought in via ambulance.”

“Let me look it up.” Maxine types on the tablet. “Come on, I’ll take you back.” I follow her. “I can’t wait to meet her.” She teases me. She gestures to a door.

She’s in room fifteen and I knock on the door.

“Kris, it’s me.” I say and she tells me to come in. They have an IV going, heart monitor, and blood pressure monitors. “Hey, baby. How are you feeling?” I walk over to her right side and lean down to kiss her.

“I’m in so much pain. They can’t run any tests or give me medicine until my pregnancy test comes back. I want the pain to stop.”Kristina sobs as she stares into my eyes.

I can see that she’s in so much pain and there’s not a god damn thing I can do about it.

“I know baby.” I try to soothe, but nothing is helping. I don’t understand what happened to her back.

“I’ll check the labs and see what’s the hold up.” I completely forgot Maxine was standing there.

I introduce the two women.

“I’m sorry I’m a wreck right now. Matt has said a lot of nice things about you,” Kristina squeaks out.

“He talks about you nonstop. I thought you were made up for a while. I’ll be back.” She tells us.

“Meeting your work friends when I can barely talk and I’m all puffy from crying. I’m not making the best first impression.”

“You’re beautiful, so knock it off. Should I call your parents?”

“Not yet. Wait until tomorrow morning. Mom will probably fly in.” She rolls her eyes.

I sigh. There’s a knock on the door. The doctor comes in.

“Sorry for the delay, but the lab is busy tonight.” The doctor looks up from her tablet to see me sitting there. “Oh, hello there. Who are you?”

“I’m her boyfriend, Matt. Nice to meet you, doctor.” I hold my hand out to shake hers and she takes my hand.

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