Page 15 of Scooter's Endgame
How he’s lasted in the military as long as he has remains a mystery. He’s hot tempered, batshit crazy, and has a gambling problem that’s gotten him into tight spots more than once. We can’t decide whether the guys on his team love him or simply tolerate him because the one favorable thing Icansay about him is he can be counted on in the heat of battle.
“Gosh, look at the time. Luke’s bedtime is in just over an hour.”
“And we still need to swing by the storage place. Best we hustle then. You go call him while I settle the bill and get his to-go bag.”
In no time at all, we’re heading out the door, Luke seemingly played out and quite sleepy. The ride over to fetch their belongings is a lot different than the one to the restaurant. It’s quiet in the car – Luke has stretched out on the backseat, and Kathleen appears to be lost in thought, staring out the window.
Turns out, their belongings are meagre, consisting mostly of the child’s stuff. Knowing how much Gonzo earns, and how he spends it, has my blood pressure rising because it’s clear to see barely any of his money went on his family.
In less than ten minutes we’re already on our way home to get the two of them settled in, and in another ten we’re home. Luke is passed out in the back, so I pull around to the guest cottage and park close to their front door.
“I’ll grab Luke if you can go ahead and unlock,” I say as I open her door.
“Okay, great. Thanks.”
She hurries off, and I reach in to pull the boy into my arms. The moment I touch him, I know something’s wrong. His skin is cold and clammy to the touch, his breathing shallow and labored.
Fuck.
I need to get Kathleen’s attention so she’ll come back to the car, but if I shout for her, it’ll most likely freak her out. On the other hand, I don’t want to leave the boy alone. Thankfully, the solution presents itself when she comes back on her own.
“Everything all right back here?” When she sees I have yet to take him out, she continues, “It’s okay, you can pick him up. He sleeps like a log. He’ll sleep right through being moved.”
“Kay –” My tone of voice must alert her that something’s off because she frowns.
“What is it? Is something wrong? Luke …” She tries to push past me, but I stand firm. Jesus, how do I do this? I’ve never been in a situation quite like this one. I could face a group of terrorists with nothing more than a knife easier than this.
“Luke doesn’t seem to be doing too good, so I need you to jump in the back with him, and I’ll drive to the ER so we can get him checked out.”
“Oh God, what’s wrong w–”
“I have no idea,” I cut her off. “Climb in, we’ve gotta go.” Riverton General isn’t far, and I mentally track the quickest route over as I jog around to the driver’s side.
Kathleen does as I ask, and I hear her gasp, then call Luke’s name repeatedly. Glancing in the rearview mirror as I start the car, I see her shake him gently. “Come on, baby. Open your eyes for Mama. Please.” Her gaze collides with mine, and I see the panic she’s fighting back clearly etched there.
“God, I’ve never seen him like this – well, not that I can see very well in this light …” She trails off. “His skin is so cold, but it’s clammy to the touch. I’ve been through so many bad asthma attacks with him, but he’s never been like this. I don’t know what to do.” Her words end on a whisper I have to strain to hear.
“Just sit tight, love on your boy, and I’ll have you at the hospital in no time. They’ll know what to do for him.”
I back out of the drive as fast as I dare in an attempt not to jostle the boy any more than necessary. And as I drive, I try not to think about the number of traffic violations I’m committing as we race to the hospital. I approach every intersection on high alert to avoid an accident, but slow down only long enough to ensure we’ll make it safely through.
The drive is made in absolute silence. The only sound that can be heard is theswishof tires on the asphalt. And the only time I break the silence is as I make the final turn.
“I’m going to pull up outside the ER. The second I stop, you hop out, and I’ll come around to get Luke, yeah?”
“I can do it,” she says with a little bite to her words.
“I know you can, sweet pea – I don’t doubt that one bit. I just want to make things easier for you is all. If you’ll let me. Okay?”
Screeching to a halt outside the doors of the emergency room, I dash out of the vehicle to grab Luke. By the time I round the vehicle, Kathleen’s out and standing clear. Reaching in, I gently lift the boy into my arms and am taken aback at how little he weighs.
We rush into the room, Kay calling out for assistance as we clear the doors. Cottoning on to the urgency of the situation, staff spring into action. Before I know it, someone is there to take Luke from me and disappears into the treatment area.
8
KATHLEEN
Helplessness overwhelms me as I watch the nurse vanish through the doors to the treatment area, my child in his arms. Standing there, watching my heart disappear from sight, I feel lost. My mind is blank, and I can’t think of what to do.
