Page 101 of Long Story Short

Fear courses through my veins as I call Pop back. It rings and rings, and he doesn’t answer.

I try again as Tyson comes to a stop next to me. Three more times, I try calling Pop, and he doesn’t answer. Dread settles deep into my bones as I call Beatrice back.

She answers after one ring.

“Josephine,” she begins, the tone of her voice making the blood drain from my face. “It’s your grandfather.” Her words trail off, and it feels like my entire body locks in place. “I’m so sorry.” The phone drops from my hand as the world seems to close in around me.

“What’s wrong?” Tyson asks, his fingers brushing softly against my face.

I can’t answer him. I can barely even gather my next breath.

My gaze stays locked on my phone on the floor. Beatrice’s voice still echoes in my head.

“I—” I begin, my voice shaking. “I don’t know.”

I’m too scared to find out.

My hands shake as I bend down and grab my phone from the floor. I almost drop it again before I press it back to my ear.

“Beatrice?” I manage to get out, my voice unsteady.

“I’m here, Josephine,” she says gently, concern still obvious in her tone.

“What happened?” I rush to get out. “Is he…” My voice cracks. “Is he okay?”

I want to ask if he’s alive, but I can’t even get the words out. I settle on “okay” instead.

There’s a long pause that seems like an eternity. It makes my stomach drop as it feels like my entire world closes in on me.

I can hear Tyson saying something, but the only thing I can focus on is waiting for whatever Beatrice is about to say.

“He collapsed this afternoon,” she gets out, her words slow and careful. “The paramedics were able to get him stable enough to get him to the hospital. We’re here now.”

My knees nearly give out.

I actually think they do.

The only thing that prevents me from falling to the ground is Tyson’s steady hand on my elbow.

“What happened?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. “He was fine. I was just there at dinner with him last week, and he was⁠—”

“I know,” Beatrice responds softly. “It was sudden. They’re running tests to find out what happened.”

“I’m coming,” I announce, my voice shaking. “I’m leaving right now.”

“Okay,” Beatrice responds. “I’ll be here with him. I’ll let you know if anything changes.”

The call ends, but I don’t lower the phone right away. I just stand there, staring at the ground as my thoughts move too fast—too loud—for me to gather any of them.

He collapsed.

He’s at the hospital.

What if he⁠—

“Josie.” Tyson’s voice cuts through the noise.

I blink, my vision blurring as I meet his gaze. There’s concern written all over his face as he stares back at me.