Under The Surface [Editing]

Chapter Sixteen Hospital Food Sucks

“What.” I squeaked unable to find my own voice.

Fear and worry etched in my face, mirrored in Nathan’s as I looked up at him wide eyed. They couldn’t hear what was being said on the other side of the phon,e but all three of them looked concerned as my mood quickly spiraled out of happiness and fun into dread.

“He had a heart attack just get to the hospital.” My mother hung up, she was so insensitive. Soon as I dropped the phone from my ear, Nathan took my face in his hands, holding me up because I think I was about to fall if he had not.

“Dawn what’s going on?” He asked. My face contorted as my heart clenched and began to beat very fast making me feel out of breath unable to hold back the tears.

“My dad he…he had a heart a…attack.” I stuttered quietly, and saying it out loud myself, I could hardly believe it. Lily and Debra gasped as Nathan’s eyes went wide flashing with worry, but he composed himself and took control of the situation so to speak.

“Debra can you drive us to the hospital?” He turned to her asking though it sounded more like a command.

“Of course we wouldn’t leave her side now.” She bounced into action.

“I’m coming too.” Lily said with finality. Nathan pulled me against him as if trying to shield me from the fear and quickly walked me to Debra’s car shoving me inside. Once he sat down inside the car with me he pulled me into his arms and rubbed my back soothingly.

“What hospital darling?” Nathan asked calmly as Debra pulled out quickly.

“Memorial Heart.” I said leaning into his chest. I was vaguely aware of how he was holding me so comfortingly and lovingly, I wanted to get to the hospital and make sure my father was alive. The fear was growing in my chest. If he was dead my mother would have told me right? I had to keep myself strong for my dad.

“You get that Debra.” Nathan said a bit louder.

“On it.” She peeled out of the parking lot at top speed. Lily reached around to hold my hand and I found myself able to squeeze it in thanks. She started to coo soothing words and encouragement to me, but I only heard Nathan.

“Its going to be okay Dawn your dad is strong he will be fine.” Nathan repeated in my ear and kissed the top of my head as he rubbed my back.

I hoped he was right. Debra drove like a maniac to the hospital and I thought I should fear for my own life before we even arrived to check on my father’s. I mentally began to gather myself together, I couldn’t fall apart now. I had to be strong and be able to face whatever was coming.

Nathan was shouldering that responsibility for the time being as I tried to regain reality around me. All I could think about was please let my dad be alive and okay. How did this happen? The anger was building inside of me that my mom had stressed him out from showing up unannounced again. I had to put that on the back burner though.

I couldn’t lose my father, not now. I most certainly would have to go to my mother’s then. After something good had happened it always seemed like something terrible happened or had to, to balance it all out. I couldn’t do anything to stop it and what the fates were doing was starting to get really old and annoying. I also thought how thankful I was for Nathan being here with me right now.

“Thank you.” I whispered starring out the window as I watched the hospital show up in the window as Debra sped down the road not a care in the world for any cops that might be around to hand out speeding tickets.

“I know, I couldn’t let you deal with this alone.” He said squeezing me tighter.

As we arrived I almost climbed over Nathan to get out of the car before Debra had gotten it into park. A renewed sense of determination after the initial shock had me bolting for the emergency room entrance with Lily, Debra and Nathan quick behind me. I bet it was a very silly picture seeing three girls and a guy in formal dance attire running into the hospital. I ran up to the reception desk breathlessly and tapped my hand impatiently for the bored looking receptionist to acknowledge my presence.