Page 110 of A Secret to Die For

“I could ask Dr. Google,” Aaron offered. “Unless anyone knows a real doctor? Should we take her to the hospital?”

I knew who to ask. I also didn’t want to ask him, but I had to. Quaking myself, I dialled Garrett Dorsey.

“Saralisa? Thank fuck. I mean, it’s great to hear from you. I was terrified you’d—”

“Has Gracie ever had a panic attack before?”

“Not for years. Why?” Hope turned to concern. “Is she having one now?”

“I think so? What do I do? I don’t know what to do.”

“Okay.” I heard him suck in a breath. “Okay, do not tell her to relax. It only makes her more agitated.” Oops. “Reassure her that you’re there and you’re not going anywhere. Then make her do multiplication.”

“Multiplication?”

“Like the times tables. It makes her focus.”

“Really? That’s….” Weird, but nothing about this situation was normal. “Okay, I’ll do it.”

“I’m on my way.”

He hung up, and I took a bracing breath of my own. I could do this; I could.

“Gracie, I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. What’s three times three?”

Blank stare.

“Three times three, Gracie. Can you help me with the answer?”

Finally, a small voice. “Nine.”

“That’s great, you’re doing great. What’s two times six?”

“Twelve.”

Instead of staring into the distance, she began to focus on me.

“How about four times eight?”

“Thirty-two.”

“Somebody needs to let Garrett in,” I whispered. “Gracie, what’s five times three?”

My math game was rusty, but I carried on for what seemed like forever, the rest of the room and the people fading away so it was just the two of us. Gracie let me take her hand, and her breathing gradually returned to normal. Then he was beside me. I felt Garrett before I saw him, that change of energy, and although he was careful not to touch me, my skin prickled with goosebumps.

“Gracie, I’m here. Hey, what’s sixty-seven times nineteen?”

She managed a teary smile. “I’m not a calculator.”

“But you’re better at math than me.” He tucked her hair behind her ears. “How are you feeling?”

“Tired.”

“Me too, me too. Do you want something to drink?”

“A glass of water?”

“I’ll get it.” Aaron slipped out of the room.

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