Page 77 of No Place Like Home
This was crazy.
This was downright stupid.
“This is bullshit, Summer. You’ve known me since middle school. We’ve been inseparable, even through relationships with other people and being on separate continents. If I haven’t left you by now, you should know I never will.”
I dropped my hands and trailed them slowly down her shoulders and arms to her hands and I squeezed her fingers. I needed a minute to calm my pulse. I took a deep breath before I spoke again. “If you think that little of me, tell me now, and I’ll drive to that interview and forget about the possibility of us. I promise.”
Our eyes held and I tried to read her expression. Damn, how I wish I could read minds and figure out what she was thinking.
Just then, Kaye yelled from the main area of the salon, “Rowan!”
The sound of her voice and commotion met my ears and fear sliced through me. Summer nodded, knowing something else was possibly more important right now, and I turned and ran.
My mother was sitting in a chair with her hands over her chest, pale as a ghost.
“I’m calling an ambulance,” Diane said with her phone on her ear.
“Momma, what’s going on?” I asked, my pulse racing so fast I had a hardtime breathing.
She shook her head, and I turned to Mrs. Ledbetter whose face was almost as white as my mother’s.
“We’d just gotten our coffee and Danish and sat down,” the older woman said in a trembling voice. “Suddenly, she grasped her chest and turned white. She wanted to come back here and almost collapsed when we got to the door.” Mrs. Ledbetter put her empty hands up to her cheeks, her expression filled with worry, just as the salon door opened and paramedics stormed in.
Chapter 34
Summer
Ifollowed Rowan into the salon and froze at the sight before me.
Tonya sat in a chair, her eyes were closed, and she looked bad.
Real bad. Her breathing seemed shallow, and her skin looked gray and ashy.
Everyone’s attention was on Tonya, and the paramedics were asking all types of questions. The bell over the door rang and Trevor walked in. Our eyes met and he came toward me. “I heard the call. You okay?”
I nodded. “I don’t know what’s going on.”
He squeezed my arm and walked to the paramedics. I couldn’t hear what they were saying. I went to Kaye and placed my hand on her back. Her face was a mixture of worry and fear. I’m sure mine looked the same.
“Ms. Tonya,” Trevor said, “you need to go to the hospital, and the ambulance would be the safest way. They could keep an eye on you.”
“Not doing it. I’m fine. All this fuss is ridiculous for some heartburn. Y’all can just pack up and get the hell out of here. Go findsomeone else to bother.” Her voice sounded tired, a little weaker than normal, though her attitude was still all Tonya.
Rowan stood over her, his face pale and etched with a combination of worry and concern. “Momma, come on. Don’t be so stubborn.”
As Tonya continued to object, Kaye squeezed my hand, let it go, then strode over to her friend. “T,” she barked, “get your ass in that ambulance and let them do their job. You’re white as a ghost, you sound like shit, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to get yelled at by all your sons for not making you go with the professionals. You’re going with them. Now. They will make sure you’re okay and not having a damn heart attack in my salon.”
Tonya, opened her mouth to protest further, but Diane jumped in. “No arguing, T. Just shut your mouth and listen.”
“They’re right, Ms. Tonya,” Trevor said. “Symptoms of heart attacks are different for women. It would be best if we get you to the hospital as soon as possible.”
Rowan nodded and squeezed his mother’s hand. “Mom, I’ll follow behind so I can take you home after they’re done and say it’s safe.”
“Fine. Do whatever.” Tonya leaned back in the chair and was soon bundled into the ambulance. Trevor left with Rowan, and Diane, Kaye, and I closed up the salon and followed behind, because no way were we staying here.
I talked with Darlene on the phone while Diane drove us to the hospital. Darlene and Leila were staying home with the kids. I promised I’d keep them informed of everything.
When we arrived at the hospital, Ruth was already waiting outside the Emergency Room entrance. We headed in together, findingJamison, Bryson, and Rowan deep in conversation, huddled close. Ruth, Diane, and Kaye stepped in to join them, but I hung back, feeling like an outsider.
