Fast Cars (Working Title)

Chapter 35

Charlie's stomach growled, the sound thundering through the car. "I'm so hungry."

Don laughed. "You're driving. Pick a spot and let's eat."

"My wife'll kill me if I eat fast food again."

"She will not."

"You've met her. She's a health nut now. I don't know what got into her."

"New Years Resolutions usually only last a few weeks."

"The problem is I don't know if I can last a few weeks."

"So get a burger and ask for extra lettuce and tomato and tell her it was a salad. With a bit of meat as garnish and a few croutons."

Charlie turned in to the nearest drivein. "I like the way you think."

"I'll even offer my lettuce and tomato as tribute."

Charlie laughed and placed their order.

Don took a big bite of his mushroom burger when his phone rang. Not recognizing the number, he absently muttered a hello around the burger.

"Donovan?" A woman's shaky voice came over the line.

Don swallowed quickly. "Yeah? This is he."

"Landon's not breathing. I don't know what to do." Her distraught voice was almost impossible to understand.

"Did you call 911?" His burger dropped into his lap.

"Yes." Her sobs crushed his heart as a chill ran down his spine.

"Maisy, did you call 911?"

"Yes," she almost screamed. "We're at Memorial Hospital. They wouldn't let me go back with him. I don't know what to do."

Don looked over at Charlie. "I'm like three blocks away. I can be there in just a few minutes."

"Don, don't," Charlie said quietly.

Don ignored him. "Do you want me to come?"

"Yes," she whispered.

Don nodded and gestured for Charlie to drive. "Okay. I'm on my way. Where are you?"

"At Memorial Hospital, I told you that."

"Yeah. But where in the hospital?"

"In the waiting room," she sniffed. "In the ER."

"Okay. I'll be right there."

Her tears cut his heart even deeper as he hung up the phone.

"Don, this isn't the best idea."

Don looked at Charlie. "I know. But it's my son. I have to go."

Charlie turned another corner into the parking lot and stopped by the ER entrance. He jumped out of the car and pulled the wheelchair out of the trunk.

Don struggled to climb out of the car. Charlie's sure grip settled around his wrist, pulling him to his feet.

"I'll be right in. It might not be so bad if you have a chaperone."

Don forced a smile and headed for the door. He paused just inside and looked around at the crying babies, a man holding his arm to his chest, a gray-haired woman holding her head and rocking back and forth and finally, a familiar form huddled in a far corner. "Maisy." He pushed the wheelchair closer and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Maisy, honey. What's happening?"

Maisy looked up then vaulted onto his lap and into his arms.

Don wrapped his arms around her and held her as she cried.