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Titus nodded but he looked so frail and pale that my heart kicked into high gear.
I didn’t think, just acted, more swiftly than I ever have, to get him dressed and strapped into my car, suddenly grateful we hadn’t carpooled with another duo.
“Ouch.”
“Sorry, little man. I’m a little frazzled here so bear with me, yeah?”
“’Kay.”
“Perfect. I’m going to go tell your teacher that we’re leaving early, don’t go anywhere.”
He smiled but the poor kid was too exhausted, too scared to offer up so much as a giggle.
It took less than a minute to find the head chaperone, wake him up and let him know what was going on. “I’m not wasting time breaking down our campsite, but if you could make sure the personal items are packed up, I’ll get them from you another time.”
“Of course. Should I call Dr. Vanguard?”
I shook my head. “This news should come from me. I’ll call, but thanks.” My stride grew longer and longer until it took less than five strides to get back to the car. Persephone didn’t pick up the phone on the first call. Or the second. “Persephone, call me back, dammit.”
I slid behind the steering wheel and hauled ass to JRMC, calling Persephone again before I switched to texting. It wasn’t unlike her to respond, especially in the middle of the night. She was a doctor and a single mother, middle of the night phone calls put the fear of god in her.
After pulling into the first parking spot I found, I shot off one last text message to Persephone before I carried a wheezing Titus into the emergency department. “A little help. Please.”
Two nurses rushed towards me, Cal right on their heels. “Ryan? What’s wrong?”
“Something bit Titus and now he’s having trouble breathing. No known allergies and I’ve left messages with Persephone.” It was too late for her to be out with the girls, which only sent my mind to places it shouldn’t go. Ever.
Cal nodded and took Titus from my arms, nodding for me to follow. “I’m taking him to exam room two. You can come with me for now Ryan, but stay out of my way.”
“I will.” Standing in the corner of the room while the nurse took Titus’ vitals and Cal listened to his breathing was a nerve-wracking situation. I was so anxious I felt like I might jump out of my skin. My heart raced so loudly that I could barely hear the words Cal and the nurse spoke to one another. “Well?”
Cal glared at me but his expression immediately softened, probably when he saw the worry etched on my face. “The good news is that it doesn’t appear to be an allergy, just a small reaction to that bug bite.”
“How is that possible? He’s lived here all his life and this is the first time this particular bug sank his claws into Titus?” It didn’t make sense. I’d had my fair share of bug bites, but none that literally stole my ability to breathe.
“It could be any combination of factors. Something he ate today, a new migration of bug or something in the bite that caused the reaction. I’ll know after we do some blood tests, but he’s breathing has returned to normal.”
“All right, thanks Cal.” I went to Titus who had a small smile on his face. “You doing all right, buddy? Feeling better?”
“Much better. Thank you, Dr. Cal.”
“No problem, little man. Next time a bug bites you, bite back.”
Titus let out a small giggle that told me he was doing alright, and that was really all I gave a damn about. “Got it.”
“Good.” Cal left the nurse to draw blood and Titus let her do it without complaint, another sign he was still frightened from the ordeal.
“Thank you, Nurse.”
“You’re welcome, Titus.”
And then we were alone, waiting for Persephone and blood test results for who knew how long. “Thank you for saving my life, Ryan.”
“I’d save your life anytime, Titus, but all I did was get you to the hospital.” I squeezed his shoulder and the kid flung himself at me and wrapped me in a tight hug. “Next time we go camping, you can save my life and then we’ll be even. Deal?”
He nodded. “Deal. I wish you were my dad for real.”
Me too, kid. Luckily I didn’t have to respond because Titus’ eyes drifted shut and a soft snore echoed against the walls in the small room. I let him sleep on my lap because the kid looked too comfortable to move, and a small part of me needed the comfort of his now warm body pressed against mine.
The door flew open and Persephone appeared, a terrified expression on her face. Ferguson was right behind her. It was one o’clock in the morning and they were still together, which told me everything I needed to know about my future with her. Nothing might have happened yet, but she had to be considering it or else he’d be gone.
