Page 47 of Say I'm Yours
He has a point. “Still, it would make this a little more fun. We could make a drinking game out of it.”
“Yes!” Wyatt agrees.
My father starts to sway a little, and I grab his arm. “You all right, old man?”
He yanks his arm away. “I’m fine. Focus on fishing and maybe we’ll actually catch something.”
I go back to my line after casting a look at both my brothers. He suffered a stroke a few years back, which is what caused Zach to stay after his injury and run the ranch. I debate questioning him, but think better of it. He does not do well with us worrying about him.
At all.
“I’m getting the boys quads,” Zach pipes up.
“Oh, that’s a great idea. We never got in trouble on ours.” Wyatt adds.
Dad shakes his head and starts to pull in his line. “I got something.” Like the lifelong fisherman he is, he reels the trout in with finesse.
I still haven’t caught anything.
I hate fishing.
He walks out to the edge of the dock and puts it in his bucket. My brothers and I turn back to our conversation and joke about the lack of sex Wyatt must be having. Angie has been sicker than usual and will barely let him near her. I swear her child has turned her into the devil. She threw something at my head when I stopped by a few days ago, and all I did was say she looked pretty.
She told me I was a liar and to get out of her house.
“She’s crazy!” Wyatt complains. “Presley came over yesterday and told me to call a priest to come extract the demon from her.”
“Pres said she’s never seen her so miserable.”
“I don’t know what to do with her,” he admits. “I love her, but I don’t like her much right now.”
“She’s scared,” I tell him. “She went through hell the last time she was pregnant. The last thing she wants is to be happy.”
“When did you become all in-tune with women and their thoughts?” Zach looks over with a smirk.
“It’s not rocket science! I get fear. Fear can make you do some stupid shit.”
Wyatt smiles. “Like letting the girl you love date someone else?”
“Yes, asshole. Like that.”
“Keep talking like that and Dad will have your ass,” Zach warns.
Where is he? He usually can’t get back here quick enough so he has a chance at winning. “Dad, I could use some backup.”
“Pop?” Zach calls, but he doesn’t respond.
I look over by the buckets, but he isn’t there. I start scanning the shoreline, trying to see where he went, but when I find him, adrenaline rushes through my veins. I drop my rod and rush toward him. “Dad!”
My brothers are on my heels as we rush to where he’s lying on the ground. “Dad!” I call again, but he doesn’t respond. “Call 911!” I scream to Wyatt who already has his phone out.
I roll him onto his back and check for a pulse. “Trent?” Zach asks as I search for any sign of life.
“He’s not breathing, I’m starting CPR. Call Mom!”
I push on his chest and blow air in his mouth. Wyatt and Zach get the Gator out of the way for the emergency crews on their way, and I keep going. I check for a pulse and still can’t find it. I don’t know how long it will take, but I don’t relent.
“Come on, Dad!” I yell as I do another round of compressions. “Come on, don’t give up!” I blow another breath and start right back.
