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“Yes. And he’s breathing. Shallow breaths and moaning.”
“A thready pulse,” Christopher says, and I repeat it.
“An ambulance is on the way. Do you have stairs?”
“Yes, we do. Our bedroom is upstairs.”
“Please switch on a front light and be ready to unlock the door. Do you want to stay on the phone in case he deteriorates?”
I glance at Christopher.
He shakes his head. “I can monitor him until an ambulance arrives.”
Caroline appears and leans over Samuel. “What happened?” She touches his forehead. “Christopher, he’s so cold.”
Christopher looks up at me. “Does he have a stethoscope and blood pressure monitor?”
I turn toward the cupboard. “Yes, er—”
“Caroline, please bring mine.” He looks at me. “I carry a wireless monitor and a stethoscope.”
“Thank you,” I say quickly.
I move to get out of the way and sit on my side of the bed, lost in how to help. My throat is dry. My thoughts are racing. I’ll need to go to the hospital with Samuel. Only I don’t want to leave Rose with Samuel’s parents yet.
Caroline rushes into the room and hands Christopher the monitor. He places the strap around his arm and presses a button to inflate the bladder. A digital reading comes up. His silence speaks volumes. Placing the end of the stethoscope on Samuel’s chest, Christopher closes his eyes and listens to Samuel’s heart.
His eyes meet mine.
“Is he okay?” I croak.
“How has he been the past few months?”
I blow out air slowly as I consider my answer. “He is stressed. And he’s lost more weight, not gained any. He has struggled with eating and…” I can feel my heart breaking knowing he never wanted to return to society, “… his nightmares are bad. I thought he was having one tonight when he made weird breathing noises. It happens a lot around this time.”
“The nightmares? How long has he been having them?”
“Since he returned. I thought he was suffering from PTSD and suggested he seek help.”
Christopher stares at his son as though he’s seeing him in a different light.
“That damn jungle,” he mutters.
In the distance, I hear a siren. I race down the stairs and call Mum while I wait at the door.
“Mum.” I burst into tears.
“Is it Rose, dear?”
“No. It’s Samuel. An ambulance is on the way. Could you please come and stay with Rose so I can go to the hospital?”
“Of course. I’ll be there soon. Try to stay calm, honey. He’ll be fine.”
“His parents are here. I’m sorry. It’s not the way I wanted you to meet them.”
“Eden,” she says gently. “Stay calm. We’ll all manage. Focus on Samuel. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
For weeks, I have been telling myselfhe’s not fine,and Mum has watched me worry despite Samuel saying over and over he only needs time.
