Page 59 of The Baxters
“No!” Ashley screamed. “Cough it out, Cole!” She turned to her sister. “Erin… call 9-1-1.”
Their dad took firm hold of Cole and tried again, hitting his back harder this time. “Come on, Cole. Please, baby.”
Ashley still couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. Her baby was choking. He couldn’t draw a single bit of air and now the sounds he’d been making earlier were gone. His mouth hung open, his cheeks purplish.
She put her hands to her face and paced a few steps in each direction. “Someone! Help us!” she screamed. “Dear God, don’t let him die! Please!” And suddenly she knew the one person who could save her baby. Landon had mentioned it over dinner a few minutes ago. He had just finished taking an infant CPR course as part of his volunteer firefighter training.
“Landon!” His name was a shrill scream on her lips. “Landon, come back. Hurry!”
THE FIGHT WASmore than Landon could take. He had never seen any of the Baxters act this way, and he wanted only to get away from them. He left the gift bag near the front door and slipped outside to the porch.
It wasn’t raining, but the wind had picked up. Whichhelped dim the noise of the angry voices inside. What had happened to the people he loved? Luke’s attitude was completely out of line. No wonder Ashley didn’t want to return to her family’s faith, with Luke acting like that.
He wanted to talk sense into them, tell them to stop it. Force them to listen to themselves. But the moment he tried to say anything, Luke had jumped on him, too. Landon looked at the sky, at the fast-moving clouds, and he drew a calming breath. It was time to go. He could apologize later. But clearly this wasn’t the night for him to be here.
Halfway down the porch steps and headed for his Toyota, Landon heard Ashley scream his name. What could possibly be happening inside? Her parents were there, and Erin. Someone else should be able to help settle down tempers.
Still, Landon didn’t hesitate. If she needed him, he would go. He ran back up the steps and into the house. What he found as he reached the dining room was pure chaos. Luke was on his knees in the adjacent kitchen, his face in his hands. Erin and Elizabeth and Ashley were weeping, and—
It took Landon that long to realize what was happening. Cole was choking. The child’s face was deep purple, his mouth open at an unnatural angle. His eyes rolling back in his little head. Dr. Baxter held him, patting his back, but clearly nothing was helping.
Ashley’s father turned to Landon. The man’s voicewas loud and thick with shock. “He… he can’t breathe. We’ve called for help.” He hit the baby’s back again. “He swallowed the juice cap.”
“Give him to me.” Landon took Cole from the man’s arms. He had just done this, just learned what to do. Moving as fast as he could, he sat in the nearest chair, turned Cole upside down and braced him against his knee. Using his forearm for support, he cradled the baby’s face in his hand. Then with the other hand, Landon gave six quick jabs at the upper center of Cole’s back. He called out as he worked. “Please, God… help me.”
Again he repeated the same motion, all while Cole’s face was aimed at the floor. They couldn’t lose Ashley’s son, not like this. Not in the middle of a huge fight.Please, God…
Then, on Landon’s third attempt, the juice cap came flying out of the baby’s mouth. Landon turned him upright and gave smaller pats to his back. “Breathe, baby. Come on. Please, God.”
All at once Cole gasped and coughed and screamed. For another few seconds he made a series of hiccups, like he couldn’t get air fast enough. Ashley was at his side, taking him in her arms. Landon could easily read the desperate tears of gratitude in her eyes. Like she would never live long enough to repay him.
Ashley held Cole as close to her chest as she could. “Cole, breathe, baby. It’s okay. Everything’s okay.” She rocked him and soothed him, and after a minute she gave him some juice from his sippy cup.
“Just a bit. To help his throat.” Her father came to her. “You don’t want him to inhale it. He’s too upset to drink much.”
Landon watched as Ashley nodded. “Okay.” She had never looked more scared. Even now her face was more gray than white. She closed her eyes and kissed the top of Cole’s head. “Thank You, God. Thank You.”
Landon was still trying to make sense of the near disaster. And now Ashley was talking to God? He exhaled and took a step back. As he did, Mrs. Baxter, Erin and, finally, Luke circled around Ashley and Cole.
Dr. Baxter looked at Landon. “Thank you.” He mouthed the words. Then in barely a whisper he explained something that hadn’t made sense till now. “I’ve never done the Heimlich on a baby. I just… I forgot about holding him facedown.”
“It’s okay.” Landon took a seat at the table a few feet away and watched the Baxters as they huddled around Ashley. He had asked God to show him why he was supposed to be here tonight.
And now he had his answer.
“Landon, if you’ll call 9-1-1.” Dr. Baxter cast him another look. “Please. Tell them we’re okay.”
Landon did as he was asked. When the call ended, he turned to the family he loved so well. He watched Luke put his arms around Ashley and Cole and pull them close. “I’m so sorry. This was all… all my fault.” He wasn’t crying now. He was sobbing.
With one hand, Ashley held Cole close to her, andwith the other hand she held on to her brother. “You didn’t mean to.” Fresh tears sounded in her voice. “It was an accident, Luke.”
Their parents and Erin stepped back, as if they could sense this moment wasn’t only important. It was critical. The baby was whimpering now, his voice raspy from the ordeal. But the danger had passed.
“I’ve been… awful, Ashley.” Luke put a hand to his face and shaded his eyes. “I can’t believe the things I said.”
Ashley didn’t respond. Instead she kissed Cole’s cheek and did something Landon didn’t see coming. She held her baby out to Luke. “Here.” A quick couple sobs shook Ashley’s shoulders. “Love him, Luke. He needs men in his life. Please.”
Landon wondered if Luke might faint on the ground. He watched as disbelief seemed to work its way through Ashley’s brother. Then, without holding back another second, Luke took Cole in his arms. Tears streamed down his face as he cradled the baby close to his body. “I’m so sorry, Cole. Forgive me.” He gave Ashley a pleading look. “Please… forgive me.”
