Page 76 of Sunset

“Lisa, give me a minute, okay?” Allen says in a calm voice to Mrs. Adams.

She nods, before taking a deep breath.

“His boat hasn’t come back.” She says.

My heart sinks. In my gut, I knew this would be what I heard, but hearing it, makes it all the more real. Tears fill my eyes, as she pulls me into her, and I bury my face in her neck.

“Okay, a call went into the Coast Guard from another ship, saying a smaller fishing boat wrecked just outside the inlet. They just got there and verified it’s the boat Jasper took out. He’s unconscious but alive. They’re airlifting him to the hospital in Jacksonville over there by Camp Lejeune. That’s all I know.” Allen says.

With a shaky hand, I call Lin and Kade and relay what we were just told.

“Don’t move. I’ll be there in ten minutes to drive you. Lin says that’s a two hour drive in this weather, and neither of you is in any condition to be behind a wheel.” Kade says.

“He’s a good boy.” Mrs. Adams says, as we sit down and wait for Kade.

The drive to the hospital feels like it takes days. I look at the clock, thinking at least ten minutes have passed, and it’s barely been a minute. Kade and Lin are talking and trying to help, but neither me nor Jasper’s mom is paying much attention. We’re sitting in the back seat, holding each other’s hand and staring out of the window.

All I can think is there’s no way the world is this cruel to do this to me twice. What the hell have I done in my life to deserve this? Was I a serial killer in a past life? That’s the only way to explain this.

We rush in, and Mrs. Adams gives the receptionist our info, and we’re directed to the right unit, where she once again relates the information.

“Mrs. Adams, your son is currently in surgery. If you will wait here, as soon as the doctor is done, he will come out and talk to you.” The nurse says.

“What is he in surgery for?” I ask.

She looks at me, and then back to Mrs. Adams.

“I’m sorry. Are you family?” She asks.

“Yes.” Mrs. Adams says sternly, before I can say anything.

The nurse looks at the computer again.

“He was rushed in, so I don’t have a lot of information right now. I just know he’s in surgery for his leg. If I had more, I’d tell you, but I just don’t have anything else.” She says, looking sorry.

Then, she glances up at Lin and Kade, and her eyes go wide, and I know she recognizes Kade. The Island is used to him by now, so it’s been a while, since we have had to deal with people, fangirling over him, while we are out, and I’m so not in the mood right now. Thankfully, the nurse regains her composure and offers a smile.

“Come on, let’s sit down.” Lin takes my hand.

I just shake my head and start pacing the waiting room. It’s set up in a way that I can walk in a circle around the twenty something chairs in here. Jasper’s mom has the same idea.

Kade leans over and whispers something in Lin’s ear, and she nods, before Kade goes and talks to the nurse. They discuss something, before another nurse joins with a tablet. Once he walks back over, I look at him and he shrugs.

“I thought it would be better to get him a private room, since I’m guessing neither of you is leaving his side, and you’ll need someplace to rest, too.” He says.

This man is amazing, and the best person I could have asked for, for Lin. He’s like a brother to me. I don’t think, as I go over to him and hug him tightly, and he hugs me back just as tight.

“Well, if a room gets me a hug, please don’t kiss me, when I bring you food.” He jokes.

I give a dry chuckle. “Thank you,” I say.

Jasper’s mom hugs him as well, but it’s interrupted by a doctor.

“Family of Jasper Adams?” He says.

“Here.” All four of us say. He nods and walks over.

“Jasper came in unconscious and still is. He hit his head pretty hard, so that isn’t uncommon. We did an MRI, and everything looks good. He’s very lucky. There’s no internal bleeding, but his leg had a nasty gash on it, and the bone splintered. I normally wouldn’t have done surgery, but because of how deep the cut was, I wanted to make sure to get it cleaned and go ahead and set the bone now. Then, we can get him recovering as fast as possible. Be prepared, when you see him, he was banged up pretty bad.” The doctor says.

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