I didn’t know what to say to that, so I just nodded, struggling to absorb the weight of it.
“Are you okay?” I asked after a few seconds had passed in silence.
Tay’s lips quirked, her usual confidence slipping back into place. “Me? Yeah. It’s just part of the job at this point.”
I hesitated, then nudged her lightly with my elbow. “Well, you handled it like a pro.”
That got a small, tired grin out of her. “Yeah, well…I save my meltdowns for the bar.”
Joey let out a snort. “That explains a lot.”
Tay inhaled deeply, scanning the parking lot before checking her watch.
“So…what now?” Joey asked.
Tay straightened. “We wait for everyone to get back. Then we get on with the trip. At least Roger waited ‘til we’d hit all our stops today.”
Joey nodded, rubbing his chin.
I rubbed a fist over my chest. I’d been worried more about Ed, to be honest, with the way he was abusing his blood pressure medication. I couldn’t have imagined it would be Roger.
I swiped at my eyes and sent a prayer into the universe that Roger’s fate wouldn’t be the same as my dad’s.
For Helen’s sake as well as his own. I knew those two had been together for decades, but I didn’t know if they had any kids or grandkids or any other family waiting for them at home. Siblings, nieces, nephews, friends… I didn’t want to think about it.
Most of our group had trickled back across the parking lot now that the ambulance was gone, and Tay clapped her hands together, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Alright, everyone, quick announcement before we head out.” She paused, scanning the group with a reassuring smile. “You probably heard the sirens. Roger had a little issue. Nothing to worry about—Dr. Noah and Helen are with him. He’s being taken to the hospital in Moab, though, so I know he’s in good hands.”
A few murmurs rippled through the small crowd, concerned and sympathetic but not panicked.
Tay didn’t give them time to dwell. “I’ll keep you all updated as soon as I hear anything. In the meantime, we’re sticking to the itinerary. Let’s get back to Grand Junction, hydrate, grab some food, and get a good night’s sleep.”
With that, she gestured toward the bus door, and within minutes, we were back on the road. Only now, the mood on the bus was a stark contrast to the laughter and teasing from this morning. The usual hum of conversation had dulled to a low murmur, solemn, observing an unspoken need to show respect for what had happened.
The empty seats—Roger’s and Helen’s—were a sad reminder, and the air around them just seemed heavy.
Babs took up her seat beside Mrs. Grady again, leaving my row strangely hollow.
I could’ve stretched out, maybe even taken a nap.
But I didn’t.
I glanced down at my water bottle—completely empty.
I considered asking Tay for another, but she’d already dealt with enough. She was doing her best to keep everyone steady, and I didn’t want to add me to the list of things she had to manage.
I could wait.
So instead, I leaned my pounding head against the cool glass of the window, watching the winding river snake past, then more red rock, more desert, more blurry shrubs.
I felt bone tired.
Heavier than usual.
Just seeing Roger like that—struggling to breathe, slumped in his seat—had left me completely wrung out.
I couldn’t stop thinking about Tay’s face, the way her usual brightness had dimmed.
