“I wonder how high he got up the ladder before falling?” Jewel asked.
“Who knows?” Honey said.
“I was so worried about that ladder while we were painting,” Jewel admitted. “So I always hid it out of sight at the end of the day. I can’t believe he found it.”
“Well, he’s sneaky,” Honey said quietly. “And surprisingly fast when he wants to be. I’ve considered getting wildlife cams to see what he’s up to.”
Jewel almost smiled. “It would be amusing.”
“I wonderwhy—I mean, what did he think was up there?” Cooper looked up at the loft.
“God only knows.” Honey shook her head.
“It’s mostly just boxes of old photos, farm records, and memorabilia,” Jewel told them. “Things I thought we should hold on to, to sort out when we have more time. But Dad couldn’t have known about that stuff.”
“Just one more why question we won’t be able to answer.” Honey sighed, then listened. “Is that a siren I hear?”
Sure enough, it was, and it was getting closer. Honey sent Cooper out to tell the paramedics where to find them and, before long, a team of three EMTs were tending to CT. Despite his pain, he seemed to enjoy the attention as they took his vitals, then poked and prodded his legs and back. Honey quietly explained CT’s mental condition. “So I should probably ride with him, if that’s okay.”
“Absolutely.” The woman made some notes on her tablet and before long, CT was being carefully lifted onto a gurney and then they were on their way. Ambulances always made Honey nervous, and she was sure her blood pressure was elevated, but remembering her deep breath routine, she continued to holdCT’s hand and pray silently for him to be okay ... then counted the seconds in her head until they finally arrived at the hospital.
Jewel
As she and Cooper drove to the hospital, Jewel knew it wasn’t really her fault, but she still felt guilty about her dad’s fall. “I should never have left the barn door unlocked,” she confessed as they pulled into the ER parking area.
“Oh, Mom.” Cooper sounded exasperated. “Don’t blame yourself. You know Grandpa. He gets into mischief no matter how hard we try to keep him out of it.”
Jewel snagged a spot close to the door. “I know.”
“Even if you’d locked the door, Grandpa knows how to break locks.”
“I know,” she said again. “But I still feel bad.”
“Well, maybe he’s fine. You know how Grandpa can think he’s dying from a sliver in his finger.”
Jewel smiled as she got out. “Yeah, underneath his whining and crying, he’s a tough old bird.”
“And how many times have we seen him fall down and heal up and be just fine?”
“That’s true.” Jewel pulled her hood up, and they both jogged through the rain to the entrance. “I’m sure Grandma is with him,” she said as they found seats in the nearly empty waiting area. “In fact, we probably didn’t need to hurry over here so fast.”
“Sure, you could be home doing something really important, like baking muffins.” Cooper’s tone was sarcastic.
“Thanks.” Jewel smirked at her.
“Now I’m hungry. I never had breakfast.” Cooper glanced around. “Think we can find something decent to eat around here?”
“I know my way to the cafeteria, but I can’t promise much as far as the food goes.” Jewel texted Mom their whereabouts, then stood.
The cafeteria, like the waiting room, was fairly quiet too, but they discovered some good-looking bagels. And Cooper got yogurt and fruit as well. They were just finishing up when Mom texted Jewel back. She read the short message, then shook her head. “Sounds like Grandpa broke some bones.”
“Uh-oh.” Cooper stuffed her banana peel into the yogurt container.
“His ankle for sure and probably his hip too.” She frowned. “And not on the same leg.”
“So he can’t even use crutches to walk.”
“Sounds like it. Grandma says she’ll be here awhile, and Grandpa might have to stay overnight. They’ll give him some more tests and might schedule surgery on his ankle. She says we should just go home.” Jewel finished her coffee.
