Page 32 of Words from the Heart
Chapter 24
Delilah pulled the remaining two letters from the box and set them on her nightstand. She was going to open them, but only after she called Parker. Glancing at the clock she realized it was nearly midnight. After eating something, she’d sat outside on the porch in the night sky thinking. Now, with her mind made up, she dialed Parker’s number. The line rang, then went to voice mail. Leaving him a brief message, she momentarily worried. He’d promised to come by and hadn’t. Slipping her clothes off, she slipped beneath the covers. Maybe he was just busy tonight, being a police officer wasn’t exactly predictable. Sighing, she closed her eyes and gave into sleep.
∞ ∞ ∞
Constant banging pulled Delilah from her sleep. Wiping the haze from her eyes, she sat up. Realizing immediately someone was banging on her door. Slipping out from the covers, she grabbed a pair of leggings and slipped them on. Her night shirt was long, but not long enough to leave her comfortable enough to answer the door at almost three in the morning.
Peering out the peep hole, she was shocked to see Hank standing on the other side.
“Hank?” she pulled the door open.
“Delilah, there’s been an accident.”
His words paralyzed her. Blinking rapidly, she tried to get her senses straight, “Whaa… what did you say?”
Hank pushed in passed her, “You need to get dressed. Parker was in an accident.”
The world tilted on its axis, nearly knocking Delilah on her ass. Hank grabbed her shoulders, “Whoa, I got you. Look, get dressed, I’ll drive.”
Rushing upstairs, she slipped a bra on under her night shirt, changed into jeans, and pulled her hair into a ponytail. Splashing water on her face, she brushed her teeth. Snatching her phone off the nightstand, she shoved the two letters resting beneath it in her back pocket.
“Hank, what happened?” Delilah slipped into the passenger seat next to him.
“All I know is a patrol officer came by the house and told me he’d been hit head on by a drunk driver.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks, “Oh my God.” She whispered into the cab. Hank reached over and took her hand in his. Delilah forced a smile, “Please let him be ok.” She closed her eyes and prayed as they drove in silence.
∞ ∞ ∞
Delilah was out of the truck before Hank had it in park. She rushed into the emergency room, “Can you tell me where Parker Masters is?”
“Are you family?”
“Um… not exactly.” Delilah huffed.
“I’m sorry, but we can’t discuss his status unless you’re family.”
“BULLSHIT!” Delilah slammed her palm against the granite countertop, “I am all he has. His family died a long time ago. PLEASE…” she begged, needing to know if he was ok.
“Excuse me?” A young doctor interrupted her, “Are you here about Deputy Masters?”
“Yes,” Delilah shot the nurse a death look, “please… is he ok?”
“Can we sit over here?” He pointed towards a bank of empty seats. As they seated themselves, Hank strolled through the doors and sat next to Delilah. “Can you tell me your relation to Deputy Parker?”
“I’m his best friend Hank, and she’s his girlfriend, Delilah.” Hank spoke. Delilah made a choking sound, but Hank elbowed her, silencing her words.
“His supervisor told me he had no family, other than two friends he’s mentioned. I’m assuming that’s you two?”
“Yes… please, just tell us.”
The young doctor wiped his face, “Deputy Masters,”
“Parker,” Delilah cut him off, “His name is Parker.”
“Yes, ma’am. Parker, as I was saying, was involved in a car accident. He was struck head on by a driver under the influence as he was going around a curve. There was no time to react, so the vehicles struck each other at full speed. Now Deputy…” the doctor cleared his throat, “Parker, was in a large SUV, and that saved his life. The other driver, well they weren’t so lucky. They died on impact.”
“But Parker?” Delilah shuffled on her feet nervously looking between Hank and the Doctor.
