Page 51 of Tex's Angel

“Todd has been working here for a few months. He’s still grieving over his wife, who passed away. Would it be possible for you to catch him at home?”

“No,” Tex responds firmly. “We need to talk to him now. It’s urgent or we wouldn’t interrupt him at his place of work.”

I speak for the first time. “It will only take a few minutes. It’s about his son.”

I can see the indecision on his face but when I say, “Please,” pleadingly, he caves.

Pulling the door open, He grumbles, “I’m probably gonna get into trouble for this but follow me.”

“Thank you. We’ll make it quick,” I tell him, my voice thick with gratitude.

He takes us back to a work floor with one empty station. “Where is Todd?” He calls out to the man at an adjoining station.

“He’s been in the bathroom for the last forty-five minutes. He’s either passing the world’s biggest turd or fallen asleep on the can again.”

I immediately get a bad feeling. Glancing around, I see the overhead sign for the restroom. Tex is moving towards there already, so I follow him. He pushes the door open and looks inside. Barging into the room, he yells over his shoulder, “Call an ambulance!”

Not caring that it’s the men’s room, I dive in right behind Tex and that’s when I see a man passed out on the floor. He’s got an empty syringe in one hand. While Tex tries his best to revivehim, I scramble to my feet and head out, “Do you have a medical box?” I ask.

One of the men comes running with a box in his hand. I pull it open and rummage around, California State law requires workplace medical boxes to include naloxone. I’m hoping that this is one workplace rule that they follow. Finally I find what I’m looking for and pull out a naloxone twin pack, I grab it and run back into the restroom. Before anyone can respond, I pull out one of the pens, press it against his shoulder muscle and press down the plunger.

I rest back on my knees while Tex keep trying to wake him up. The naloxone works because he opens his eyes, though still seems groggy.

Thankfully, it’s not long before EMS arrive. The paramedic asks him, “Are you okay?”

He’s shaking his head as if in a daze.

One of the EMS workers picks up the syringe and asks, “What did you take?” While another begins checking his vitals. Todd isn’t very forthcoming with information, either because he’s not thinking straight or because he doesn’t want to incriminate himself. I let them know about the naloxone I gave him and give them the other pen.

It’s pretty clear he’s in good hands and we aren’t going to be able to talk to him.

We hang around long enough for EMS to load him into the ambulance and then thank the man who let us in. He looks a little shellshocked. “If the two of you hadn’t showed up, he might have died on the restroom floor.”

I quickly reassure him. “In a factory this size, surely someone would have walked in found him there.”

“Maybe, you’re right. I just don’t know. You know, Todd and I grew up together. Our families still go to church together. After his wife killed herself, he’s just been mindlessly drifting deeper into addiction.”

I reach out and grab his arm, because I want him to remember what I’m about to tell him. “She didn’t kill herself. She got a hold of some bad drugs. The coroner’s report listed her death as accidental.”

He stammers, “Todd said she did it intentionally.”

“He was really out of it after she passed away. I’m sure they told him the truth. Maybe he wasn’t able to retain it in all his shock and grief? He can call and get a copy of the death certificate if he doesn’t believe you.” I give his arm a little squeeze to reinforce the message and then we climb into Tex’s truck and leave.

A short silence spins out between us as we drive along. Finally I state the obvious, “I guess we can rule Todd Blake out as potential suspect. He seems like he’s given up on everything.”

“Agreed,” Tex murmurs. “Seeing him still mired in his grief brings back memories.”

“I don’t know if I’ve come right out and said it, but I’m really sorry you lost your wife. I can tell you were deeply in love with her.”

When he glances my way, I can see a world of hurt in his eyes. “Thank you for saying that, Clara. I know it sounds strange to say, but I believe my wife would have approved of y’all cominginto our lives the way y’all have. You’re good people and that’s all she ever wanted for us after she died.”

“We’ll just have to do everything we can to keep her memory burning bright, for you and for Levi and for all of us who never got an opportunity to meet her.”

The next thing I know, Tex pulls the truck over and then pulls me into his arms. I can only imagine what’s running though his mind right now. But I know what’s going on with his heart. He’s coming to grips with loving two women separately but equally. We just sit there in the tightest hug I’ve ever had for what seems like forever. I’m contented to hold him for however long he needs it. As long as he wants and needs me, I won’t ever be the first to let go.

***

By the time we make it back to the clubhouse, Levi is strutting around in his junior prospect cut and, along with Evan, is manning the front gate with three other prospects.

---