“Compressions,” Neesa said, as Rylee counted toward thirty. “We’re tired.”
“Yeah. No. No, I can’t,” he stammered. “I can run errands for you, though. Should I go find other people who can do this?”
“Yes,” Neesa said, moving back to Benny’s head, ready to administer artificial breath. “Get a bunch, not just one.”
As Rylee said, “Thirty,” Neesa pinched Benny’s nose as she leaned low.
The two-minute mark was timed by the machine: “Analysis complete.” “Shock advised.”
Benny’s body arched backward as he was jolted into the air.
Where was help?
Neesa took over the compressions as Rylee caught her breath.
“Benny? Benny? Hey man, I’m here with you, brother. You’re going to get through this. Hang in there, man.” The voice on the phone was solid and focused. Rylee used the man’s cheerleading to bolster her own morale.
Bean Counter leaned in, “The 911 operator said the paramedics are on location.”
Two minutes flew by, and the AED was in charge. “Stop compressions. Analyzing.”
Another shock.
The man’s friend was clearly traumatized by the sounds. There was a swallowed sob in his voice as he switched from cheerleading to “remember when” stories, making plans to go fishing, and talking about the games of poker yet to be played.
“Resume compressions,” the AED advised.
Rylee thought about the man beneath her palms, the mentioned wife and children. She dug deep into her personal resolve, using all of her weight and will to make her thrusts go deep enough.
Clattering on the stairs came a moment later.
The chaos of uniforms and equipment was welcomed.
Rylee picked up the phones, then scooted on her butt over the filth of the platform to the wall and out of the way. It stank of stale urine, but her limbs were jelly, and she couldn’t stand. Once home, she’d wash under scalding water until the tank ran cold.
Blouse damp and clingy from exertion sweat, Neesa came to collapse against her, hugging tightly as the friends caught their breath. Hearing the paramedics’ radio communications, Rylee lifted Benny’s phone to her mouth. “Sir, you can probably hear the paramedics are here and took over Benny’s care,” she panted. “They’re taking Benny to the level one trauma hospital on Georgia Avenue.”
“Georgia Avenue. My god. Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“I’m sending the phone on with Benny.”
“Yes, thank you. I’ll stay on the line, though, talking with him. Is that okay? Who am I talking to? Who is this?”
Rylee had already handed the phone to one of the paramedics. “This is Benny’s phone, and his friend is on the line. He can describe Benny earlier in the day, signs and symptoms, and family contact information.”
The paramedic accepted the phone, and Rylee went to stand out of the way so she could eventually retrieve her coat, which had, if nothing else, kept Benny off the freezing platform during his ordeal.
Neesa turned toward Rylee and weakly lifted her hand for a high five. “Damn, girl.”
Rylee laced her fingers into Neesa’s and closed her eyes.
Life was fragile.
Chapter Nine
Rylee
Tuesday
