Page 128 of Waiting for Redemption

God I love this show. I wanna move there.

Leah

Yeah, I need a Jack in my life.

Lauren

I’m more of a Brady girl.

Just as I am about to text back my phone starts ringing and Taylor’s name pops up on the screen.

“Hey, I was just about to text back, I swear. As soon as Tank gets home with dinner I’m gonna turn it on and try to watch it while I pack. We didn’t have suitcases so he–”

“Rubes,” the ominous tone to her typically bubbly voice makes my heart stop. “Tank’s been in an accident.” My blood runs cold as I look at the clock and see how much time has passed since I last talked to Tank.

“What?” my voice comes out in a whisper, as I feel my knees about to give out on me.

“You need to get to the hospital.”

“Wh-what happened?” I choke out the words, leaning against the wall to try and hold myself up.

“I’ve called Max to come pick you up and asked if Hendrix could stay with them tonight. So just get some shoes on and get here soon okay? Tucker is on his way now and we’ll be with him until you get here.”

“Taylor, whathappened?” I yell, my breaths start coming more quickly now as the panic begins to spread through my entire body. I hear her sigh before giving me the vague answer that makes me want to scream.

“The doctors will fill you in when you get here.” The feelings of fainting and nausea war against each other as I try to find the strength to compose myself before having to tell Hendrix.

God, this is going to kill him.

“I’m done with my bathroom.” Hendrix walks in the living room and faceplants on the couch dramatically. I take a few deep breaths, swallowing past the lump in my throat as I wipe the tears from my eyes.

“Hey, bud. Little change of plans for tonight.” I try to make my voice sound as normal as possible, but it comes out high-pitched and uneven.

“No fried rice?” he asks, turning his head just enough to free his lips. I immediately feel the sting of tears reappearing in my eyes as a knock sounds at the door.

“Come in!” I yell urgently, making Max come barging in the door.

“Uncle Max!” Hendrix finds his second wind of energy, jumping up to run over to him.

“Hey, dude. Did your mom tell you that you’re hanging with me and Shane tonight?”

“YAY!”

“Go grab your stuff. We gotta drop Mom off somewhere first.”

“Do I just use my backpack Mom, or should I wait for Dad to get back with my suitcase?” Still turned away from him I throw my hand over my mouth to keep myself from letting out a sob.

“Your backpack will be fine tonight, buddy,” Max answers for me, sending Hendrix to his room.

“Come here.” Max pulls me into his arms and I sob into his chest. “It’s gonna be okay. I’ll get you to him as fast as I can.”

“She didn’t tell me anything. I don’t know what happened, I don’t know how bad it is. Do you know? Is he okay?” I look up at him, noticing a weary look in his eyes as he takes a deep breath in.

“An 18-wheeler flew through a red light and hit him, they’re checking him out now. That’s all I know.” I push away from him and run over to the trash can before my lunch comes back up.

Flew. Flew through a red light.

“Ready!” Hendrix runs into the living room. My ears are ringing, my vision is blurry and I have no idea what happens between Max telling me what happened and us pulling up to the hospital. When Max parks his truck and squeezes my hand, I blink away the haze and slowly come back to reality. I take in my surroundings and see Mav and Hendrix in the back seat, I have shoes on and my purse is in the seat between me and Max.

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