Page 60 of Somewhere Only We Know
“My partner has him,” one of the medics tells me. “What’s your name?”
I know I’m only being asked for legalities sake, but I could care less about myself. “Nate.”
“Okay, Nate. I’m assuming this is your Dad?” I nod in lieu of a response. “Can you tell me what happened? How long was he like this?”
“I–I don’t know. I just got home from Pennsylvania,” I tell the medic and feel completely helpless.
“Okay. How old is your Dad?”
“Uh. He just turned fifty-five.”
“Any underlying health issues? Concerns?”
“I was home over the summer,” even to my own ears my voice is monotone, “and he was having a coughing fit. He brushed it off.”
“Okay. That’s good to know.”
I grab dads hand as they continue to look him over. I’m angry. That’s the feeling I settle on. My parents want me to be a grownup, but when it comes to their problems, they treat me like a child. But I’m also scared.
“Nate, we’re gonna have to take your Dad to the hospital.”
The color leeches from my face. “What?”
“It’s standard and since your Dad is still unconscious, it’s protocol.”
I feel like I’m gonna be sick. “Can I come with?”
The paramedic gives me a sympathetic smile. “Of course.”
In a daze, I stand back as my dad is loaded onto a stretcher and follow them out to the ambulance. I feel helpless.
How was I just kissing the love of my life hours ago and come home to this? This ugly reality that my parents lied to me when I asked them point blank if I needed to worry.
The ride to the hospital is almost one that you want to forget but you’ll unfortunately remember for the rest of your life. How many turns it takes and the undisclosed number of potholes we unfortunately hit. This ride is one I’ll unfortunately remember.
When we pull up and unload, I follow them into the ERuntil my dad is admitted to an actual room. He’s still unconscious and that does not do well to ease my fears. It’s then that I need to call my mom. Kissing my dad on the cheek, I step outside and dial her number.
“Nate, you’re home!”
I tamp down my anger and tell her what she needs to know. “Dad and I are at the hospital. He was on the floor when I got home and unconscious.”
“Shit. What hospital?” She asks hurriedly and I hear her packing her things up to leave work.
“VB General.”
“I’ll be there soon.”
My mom hangs up and I stare at my phone. It’s also when I realize someone needs to pick up Kayla, so I call one of the gymnastics moms to see if she can stay with them for a bit.
“Hello?” Mrs. Greenfield answers.
“Hi, Faith. It’s Nate. Um, something came up, but do you mind if Kayla goes home with you all?” I try to come off unaffected, but my throat feels like sandpaper and I’m sure she can tell.
“Sure, honey. Is everything okay?”
I bite down hard on my back teeth, I fear they’ll crack. “No. But I don’t wanna worry her.”
“Okay, honey. She can stay as long as she needs to.” She says softly and the way she says it makes me want to punch a brick wall.
