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“Yes,” Mom breathes.
“I’m coming, Mom. On my way.”
“Okay, honey. Don’t drive like a crazy person, he’s stable.”
“What caused the collapse? Do they know?”
“His heart.” She sniffs. “He’s having an EKG.”
Shit. They suspected heart troubles before when he was short of breath.
I can’t believe this is happening. “I’m about fifteen minutes away, Mom.”
“I’ll see you soon. Maddison is here with us.”
“Okay. Call me if there’s any update.”
We click off, and I make my way to the hospital instead of home.
I try to breathe while navigating traffic, though it’s not too crazy at this time of night.
I’m half tempted to call Taylor and tell him. But I know he’ll make his way to the hospital, and I don’t know how I feel about that.
It’s late and he has a game tomorrow.
I’m so scared for my dad I can hardly think straight while I drive.
Luckily, I get there in no time at all and I call mom back when I’ve parked to see where they are and how I can find them quickly.
Once I have the information, I make my way to the ward and run right into Maddison in the hallway. She opens her arms out to me, and we hug as the tears flow down my face. I can’t even stop them.
“How is he?” I ask shakily.
“He’s okay.” Maddie nods. “He collapsed after dinner in the living room, and we had to call an ambulance.”
I close my eyes momentarily. Mom comes out of the room when she hears our voices. Her eyes are red rimmed where she’s been crying. She looks terrible.
“Mom!” I run into her arms, and we sob together. “Mads says Dad’s okay?” I pull back briefly to look at her. She looks so tired and so broken.
She nods. “Yes, honey, they’re just doing tests now. He was having the onset of a heart attack, but they were able to stop it. He may have to have surgery.”
My hands fly up to my face. It’s all sounding so damn scary.
“Can I see him?”
“Soon, I think. They’re just getting him comfortable after being stabilized.”
“Okay, we’ll wait. Should I get us some tea or coffee?”
Mom shakes her head. “No thanks, Em. You and Maddison get yourself something. He should be able to see you when you come back. How was your dinner?” she asks me as I’m about to walk down to the vending machine with Maddie.
“It was good, Mom.”
I really want to see my dad and it’s making me extremely anxious that I can’t go in there. Maybe some caffeine will soften the blow.
Maddie walks down the corridor with me. “Are you okay?” she asks.
I nod. “Yeah, I’m okay,” I say quietly. “It’s been a big night. I can’t believe this.”
