“My kiddos….”
“I’ve got them. We’ll cover for you. Don’t worry.”
Out in the hallway, I look up to see Nash and our principal, Nan Bass, next to him. I pick up my pace until I’m jogging toward them. Rose hands off my backpack to Nash, and without a word, he turns, jogging next to me out the door to his truck that’s parked at the curb.
As soon as we’re both in the truck and he’s got it started, I ask, “Andi. What about Andi?”
“Mom’s going to pick her up.”
“Okay.” I take in a big breath as he pulls out of the school parking lot. “My dad. What happened?”
Nash turns his head. When our eyes meet, I know it’s bad from his eyes alone. “There was an accident.”
I gasp at those four little words. Farm accidents are scary.
“They were getting ready to start harvesting. Isaac said one of his crew found him next to the combine.”
“Isaac? You talked to Isaac? He’s in California.”
Nash nods. “He tried calling your cell. So did your mom. When they couldn’t reach you, he called me to see if I could find you at school.”
“Oh.” I quickly open my purse and search for my phone. It’s at the bottom. “I turn my phone off at school.” I start to sniffle. The second it’s on, I hear numerous dinging noises. “Shit.” I could have known sooner. There are voice messages from Isaac and Mom. There are also several texts from Isaac asking me to call him. I’m afraid to listen to the messages, but I need to hear from Mom, so I hit that one and place the phone to my ear.
“Izzy, it’s Mom. I need for you to head to Emmetsville County Hospital. It’s your father—”
Emmetsville? I pause the recording and turn to Nash. “Mom’s message said Emmetsville.”
“They made the change en route to the hospital. The ambulance met Life Flight halfway there.”
“Oh.” My God. The tears have started in earnest now. I can’t stop them, and I don’t want to. “Is he going to be okay?”
I feel Nash’s warm hand on my leg, and I’d love to tell you that it’s soothing, but I can’t think right now. “I don’t know, babe.” Nash is looking at me now, and it’s not helping. “I don’t know any specifics.” I’ve never seen the man look so serious in my life. “Give Isaac a call. He’s been in constant contact with your mom.”
“Right.” But I don’t want to call. I’m so freaking scared to hear something bad about my dad. God,my dad.… I hit Isaac’s number, and it goes straight to voice mail. You’d think I’d feel relief, but I don’t. It amplifies my worry. I leave a message. “Isaac, I’m on the way to Iowa City with Nash. Call me as soon as you get this.” I hang up and try my mom’s phone. The same thing happens. “Mom, I’m with Nash. We’re on our way. Call me when you can.” I end the call and keep the phone in my hands on my lap so I’m ready when they call back.
We’re quiet for a long time. Nash’s hand has remained on my upper leg. He squeezes it from time to time, my guess is it’s his attempt to reassure me. It does. The drive to Iowa City normally takes about two hours, but Nash is driving fast so we make it to the city limits in one and a half. Pulling up to the main doors of the hospital, I open the door and jump out and turn. “I’ll park the truck and be in,” he says.
“I’m not sure where he is. I’ll start with the E.R.”
“Sounds good, Isabelle.”
I slam the door shut and run into the Emergency department doors. There are two other people talking to the man at the info desk, so I wait my turn impatiently, moving from foot to foot. When it’s my turn, I’m directed to emergency surgery on the lower level. I send a quick text to Nash and make my way to the elevators. As I wait for the doors to open, I feel a warm hand on my back. I sigh with relief knowing he’s with me. “I’m scared, Nash.”
“I know, honey.” He rubs his palm up and down my back. “I know.”
The doors ding open, and we both step on. I press the button, and the doors quickly close. We’re down to the surgery level in seconds. Taking my hand in his, Nash leads me right, then left, down a long corridor to double doors. Pushing those open, I follow him through until we come to a large waiting area. I see Mom immediately. She looks terrible. Pulling my hand from Nash’s, I rush to her. “Mom!”
She looks up at me and smiles, but it’s fake. Of course it is. “Izzy.” She stands and moves toward me with open arms. I hurry into them and wrap mine around her, hugging her tight. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“How is he? What happened?”
Pulling back, Mom returns to her seat, taking my hand along with her. Sitting next to her, I look over at Nash who’s standing near the entrance. Pointing to the seat next to me, I say, “Nash, sit here.”
He looks relieved at the invitation as he moves to sit next to me. His hand is on my back in seconds, and it gives me strength. Looking back at Mom, I wait for her to speak.
“Mom, what happened?”
“Well, they were harvesting the corn and the auger....”
