Page 55 of Finding Basil
There were tears in Juan’s eyes, and he barely saw that through the tears in his own, and the blur of fear that further skewed his vision.
To think of watching anyone die that way, but especially the man he loved, it tore him open. He knew he’d never recover from losing him, and neither would his family or the town of Foggy Basin.
That bright spot of life gone, the entire world would have to mourn, even if they’d never met him. Good people like that were important to keep the balance of all the awful people in the world.
Juan was talking with 9-1-1 a mile a minute, giving them directions and pleading with them to hurry. Herb moved around the guardrail and made his way to the truck as slowly and gently as he could. After placing a hand on the hood to feel for the heat of the engine, he found it cool. Basil had been there all night.
He saw what had stopped him from careening over. There was a full tree with a thick trunk under him, the top broken and the trunk holding him on the undercarriage of the truck.
He’d never been so thankful for a tree in his life.
The window was down, so he stepped as close as he felt safe to it and reached in his hand, checking Basil’s pulse. It was strong, which gave Herb such relief, he thought he might sob.
“Basil, baby, please don’t wake up yet. Not yet. Don’t move. Just don’t move.”
It was then that Basil opened at least the eye Herb could see, and it hadn’t been easy, as it was covered over in blood from the cut on his forehead.
“Shh, don’t move, baby, and don’t try to talk. It’s okay. Everything is okay. Help is coming.”
“Herb…how…?”
“You’ve been gone a long time. We were worried. Your whole family is looking for you. Juan is just up the embankment.”
That made him cry, which not only broke Herb’s heart, but scared him.
“You can’t move, baby. Not even a little. The truck is…it could fall.”
“I’m so scared. I’m scared.”
“I know, baby boy, I know.”
Juan was standing next to him, as he’d climbed down too. “Hey, little brother, it’s cool. It’s gonna be fine. The police and firemen are on the way; they’re sending a helicopter. You’re gonna finally get to ride in one! Remember how you always wanted to when you were a kid?”
Basil smiled. “You remember that?”
Juan’s voice broke as he said, “Sure. I…I remember everything about you. You’re my best friend, my…my brother! I remember your first fucking smile and how Mom and Abuela fussed over you, like you were something special. I didn’t know they were right until we grew up, and I saw it for myself.”
“That I’m better looking and smarter?” Basil croaked, then chuckled, sending Herb’s heart racing.
“Don’t move, baby. Don’t move.”
“Sorry. I’m so sorry about this, Herb. I lied to you, I did…I did something.”
“I know all about it, honey. I don’t care a bit about all that. I just want you safe. That’s all.”
Basil passed out again, and Juan grabbed Herb’s arm in a vice grip. “What the fuck?”
“He’s breathing. God, when are they getting here?”
It wasn’t two minutes after that an entire crowd of first responders came, and the flurry of activity did nothing to squash his fear. His anxiety was horrible at that moment, and he kept picturing the truck finally giving way, leaving the shelf and plunging down into the deep gorge.
They carefully tied a line to the axles of the truck from the winch on the ladder truck from the fire department to keep it moving, and then they tried to open the cab door, but it wouldn’t budge. Herb was back up top behind the guardrail, and Herb and Juan took turns pacing and watching, pacing and watching.
No amount of assurance from the firemen and state troopers made him feel a thing except more fear. It wouldn’t be okay until he was safe and free of the truck.
The firemen had to use the jaws of life, and one of the EMTs climbed carefully into the truck to take Basil’s vitals and stay with him while they worked to free him.
“How the fuck is that safe?” Juan asked him.
