The Life of Reba McEntire Blackstock

Part 20

Narvel's P.O.V.

I check Reba's pulse and then tilt her head upwards to check for breathing. She's not. As quickly as I can, I start CPR. 15 compressions, 2 breaths, 15 compressions, 2 breaths, 15 compressions, 2 breaths. I can't think about it being Reba, if I do, I'll stop and cry for her. 15 compressions, 2 breaths, 15 compressions, 2 breaths, 15 compressions, 2 breaths. I barely hear the sirens in the distance. The adrenaline is pumping hard and fast through my body creating a fast thumping in my ears. The paramedics rush onto the stage pushing a stretcher. I relinquish my duties up to one of the paramedics. They raise Reba's limp body up onto the stretcher and begin running tests. They are shouting all different numbers that make no sense to my high school graduate mind. One of the five paramedics finally stands and asks me, "Does she have any family members here?" I answer back, still in shock, "Uh, um yeah. I'm her husband." He pulls me to the side, out of the reach of any microphone that might pick up our conversation. "We're going to take her in to the hospital because her heart was beating very quickly. We are going to take her by ambulance, so you can either ride along or follow in your car." Without thought I choked out, "I don't want to leave her side." He replied, "Ok, then follow me. They're taking her the long way out. You might want to have someone tell them," gesturing to the crowd, "what's happening." I turn around to face the dead silent audience. I mean, it was a 7,000 person arena and you could hear a pen drop. I picked up the microphone and became petrified. I never spoke in front of large numbers of people. In fact, I'm surprised Reba can do it! I began, "Uh-hmm. Okay. Reba Blacks- sorry, McEntire is being transported to the hospital by ambulance right now. She fainted and became unconscious by reasons unknown right now. I'm sorry that we could not fulfill the complete standards of tonight's performance, but I hope we will be able to make it up to you in the near future after Mrs. McEntire's health concerns are taken care of. Thank you for understanding. I hope you've all had an enjoyable night and have a safe drive home." I finish my speech then walk offstage after receiving a forgiving applause. As soon as I'm behind the curtain, I take off in a full blown sprint to the back entrance. I get there just as they are loading Red into the ambulance. I climb in after her stretcher and take a seat by her side. The ambulance starts with a jerk and speeds off to the hospital. I take Reba's hand as the tests being run around me continue. The more I concentrate on her gorgeous face, the quicker time passes and the less I hear the paramedics yelling. By the time we reach the hospital, I have totally forgotten the paramedics in the ambulance with me. They have to shake me out of my trance as they unload Reba from the ambulance. As soon as her stretcher hits the ground they take off running with her still unconscious body. I run after them, but they soon run behind doors that read "Staff only". I walk slowly back into the waiting room with tears welling in my eyes. I now have to wait for the nurses to come and retrieve me. I sit down and rest my head in my hands. Before I know it, I feel tears rolling down my face and into my cupped hand. After what seems like years of waiting, a nice looking young woman comes into the waiting room looking for a "Mr. Blackstock." I jump up at the sound of my name and run to her with a bombardment of questions, "Is she ok? Has she woken up yet? Why was her heart rate so high?" She gestures for me to slow down then says, "Mr. Blackstock, she's going to be fine. Let's talk while we walk." The nurse saying that she was fine were probably the best words I've ever heard in my life. "Ok, so Mrs. Blackstock fainted by what we think was an anxiety attack. Why we are assuming that is because her heartrate was so high while all of her other vitals are near perfect." I butted in, "But she said that her blood sugar was running low this morning." She replied, "Well it could've been, but now her blood sugar is fine. Anyways, Reba has not yet woken up from her unconscious state, but we are monitoring her closely and have her on oxygen. You may go in now and see her." She gestures to the open door and I walk in through it. In the room rests my beautiful wife, hooked up to all kinds of machines, but rests so peacefully. I stumble through the maze of wires to get next to Reba. Once next to her, I grab her hand and talk softly to her, "Hey babe. You did great tonight like you always do. I had to go out on stage tonight to talk and I was absolutely terrified. I messed up just talking. I don't know how you are able to sing out there in front of thousands of people every night. Ok, it's getting late, so I'll leave you to rest. Goodnight baby." With that I kissed her lightly on the lips, then took a seat on the chair next to Reba's bed.

Reba's P.O.V.

My eyes flutter open to a blindingly bright unknown environment and a tingling sensation on my lips.