Poppy
I’m Gonna Love You by Cody Johnson
I’m standing at the whiteboard with Mr. Fisher, walking the kids through the worksheet, when my phone vibrates in my pocket.
I ignore it at first but then get a bad feeling, especially when I pull it out and see it’s Ollie calling.He never calls when I’m teaching. He texts, knowing I’ll see it on my break, and I’ll call him then. My pulse starts to race, and my goosebumps cover my skin. Something is definitely wrong.
“I’m so sorry,” I murmur to Mr. Fisher. “I need to take this. I think it’s an emergency.”
He frowns and nods, concern covering his face. “Sure.”
I step into the hallway and answer. “Hey, what’s up?”
His breath comes through the line unevenly. “Poppy, I need you. I’m at the hospital.”
I don’t remember much of the conversation because my head is swimming with fear and possibilities and I always goback to the day Maggie came and got me at the school and told me that my mom died.
We hang up, and I realize I’m breathing heavily.
Nope, I silently tell myself. No one died. He would have said. I can’t let my head go there. I pull it together.
I poke my head back into the classroom. “Mr. Fisher, I’m so sorry. There’s an emergency. I have to go to the hospital.”
His expression shifts instantly. “Go. We’ve got this.”
I grab my coat and purse and head for the parking lot, my hands shaking as I dig out my keys. The drive feels endless. My mind spirals in every direction at once.
Everything feels like a blur after that. Getting a call from your husband that he’s at the hospital and needs you is never something you prepare for. Was he hurt at work? No, that can’t be right, he’s off today. Was he in a wreck? Was it his mom? I am just flooded with worry. What if he’s hurt more than he’s letting on? What if he was trying to be strong but it’s bad. Or what if one of the other firefighters got hurt?
I grip the steering wheel tighter and push the speed limit just enough.By the time the hospital comes into view, my heart is in my throat.Whatever it is, I know one thing for sure.He didn’t sound like my Ollie, who is cool, calm, and collected. He sounded shocked, upset, and like he needed me.
I pull into the hospital parking lot way too fast and slam the car into park with my heart already racing. My phone buzzes before I can even grab my bag.
Ollie: Come up to the fourth floor.
That’s it—no other explanation.
I jog inside, shoes squeaking against the polished floor, and hit the elevator button harder than necessary. My thoughts are already spiraling as the doors slide shut when I look at the sign and realize the fourth floor is Labor and Delivery.
Confusion slams into me hard. Oh my God, did somethinghappen to Violet? She just found out she’s pregnant. I replay every recent conversation in my head, searching for something I missed. I don’t know anyone else who’s pregnant. Not one person, and I don’t think Ollie does either. At least no one he’s mentioned.
The elevator dings and the doors open. The hallway is quiet and bright and calm in a way that makes my skin prickle. Nurses move with purpose. Somewhere a baby cries softly, and my chest tightens at the sound. It’s sweet.
I take a few steps forward, focused on the nurses at the nurses’ station, and nearly collide with Theresa Kendrick.
What is going on? I thought she worked in the emergency room.
She stops short, takes one look at me, and sighs, looking irritated and rolling her eyes. “Of courseyoucame.”
I don’t even slow down. I don’t have the energy to argue with and I don’t have the patience. I want to get to Ollie.
“Where is he?” I ask, already scanning the hallway behind her.
“He’s in room 393 down the hall,” she says. “Poppy, you should probably?—”
I’m already moving past her, ignoring her. I’m used to Theresa Kendrick dismissing me. She has for years. All I know is that Ollie asked me to come, and nothing else matters.
My pulse pounds in my ears as I walk faster, my steps turning into a near run as I get to the room. Whatever this is, whatever happened, I need to go to him.And the longer I walk down this hallway, the more I know one thing for sure. My life is about to change. I don’t know how yet. But something feels different.I stop dead in the doorway.
