Page 115 of The Affair
“Your mom collapsed. I can’t wake her!”
We both sprinted for the stairs as my heart fell to the floor.
Not yet, I begged.
Not now.
We followed Bethany into my mother’s room, her frail body lying on the floor.
“I came up to check on her and found her like this. I tried to lift her, but I couldn’t,” she explained. “I’m not strong enough.”
“Mom,” I said, a sense of panic clinging to my words as I knelt down beside her. “Mom! Wake up.”
“I’m calling 911,” my brother said.
I checked her pulse as Jack spoke on the phone. “She’s breathing.”
It took less than five minutes for the emergency responders to arrive. Although she hadn’t come to by then, they assured us they’d take care of her. Jack went with them, taking a spot next to her in the ambulance while I promised to follow by car.
My hands were shaking, and my mind was blank as I ran to the kitchen for my keys.
“Let me drive you,” Bethany offered.
“But what about the kids?”
“I can drop them off at the neighbor’s house. They already texted me after seeing the ambulance and offered any assistance we might need.”
As much as I didn’t want to admit defeat, I gave in, knowing my nerves were too rattled to operate a vehicle. “Okay,” I answered. “Thank you.”
Ten minutes later, we were on our way to the hospital, and as I watched the world fly by while Bethany drove, I did something I hadn’t done since Reed came clean about his infidelity.
I prayed.
* * *
“She’s okay,”my brother announced, causing Bethany and me to exhale a sigh of relief.
He’d just emerged from Mom’s room in the ER, looking battered and a little frazzled but otherwise fairly put together.
“You’re sure?” I asked, my heart still a little worse for wear.
Nodding, he took a seat next to his wife. “She has a fever—a pretty high one. It’s not uncommon with cancer patients. But they believe it’s what caused her to pass out. That, and maybe some dehydration.”
“Is she awake?” I asked.
“Yes. Slightly groggy but awake,” he answered. “She’s asking for you.”
“Okay.” I stood, feeling a tad wobbly from the events of the day but I followed my brother nonetheless.
He notified the attendant, and we were buzzed back immediately. I wasn’t a fan of hospitals. They reminded me of death and sorrow, but right now, I tried to focus on the positive.
She’s awake.
She’s okay.
There’s still hope.
My brother, seemingly well acquainted with the emergency room, led us to a small room. The curtains were pulled tight, so I had to wait until we entered to see her.
