But I'm not Wendy. She would have this handled. She would know what to say; she knew what to say to Molly and Jem.
My mind is blank right now, and I can't get it to stop spinning.
Wendy. Car accident. T-bone.
Wendy. Car accident. T-bone.
Wendy. Car accident. T-bone.
I jog back to my sons as Sheriff Grady starts his cruiser.
"Daddy," Noah asks when I crouch in front of him, his voice scared. "What's going on?"
I take a deep breath and meet their eyes, placing my hands on their shoulders, "Mama was in a car accident."
Liam's eyes go wide, but Noah's eyes fill with tears. I feel the urge to fall apart, grief pressing against my composure.
Wendy wouldn't fall apart. Wendy would have this handled—I need to handle this.
"Is she okay?"
"I'm going to go see her right now—" I tell him instead, not wanting to lie to him and then the worst comes to fruition.
Noah's already crying, the sight ripping me to shreds withthe combination of worry inside of me.
"I want to come with you—"
"I need you to stay here," I tell Noah, and then glance at Liam. "Okay?"
"But I want to—"
Liam gently cuts his brother off, trying to temper his wobbly voice. "We have to stay here, Noah. We can't get in the way of doctors trying to help Mama."
"Exactly. I need to go and make sure your Mama is okay, and—" an idea hits me, and I lean close to my boys.
It's like Wendy's sweet voice appears in my head, telling me what to do. "I need you both to watch out for Mom-Mom. I need you to stay here and take care of her. Alright?"
Noah's face is still sad, but he nods. "Okay."
"Okay," Liam nods, meeting my eyes. "Go to Mama."
I press a kiss to Liam's head, and he doesn't even fight me on it, or act too cool, he leans into it and hugs me tightly.
"Take care of your brother," I whisper, feeling his nod. "I'll call you when I find out more. I promise."
He nods once more, before I do the same to Noah, who clings to me for a long moment. His little breaths hitch as he tries to calm his tears.
"Everything will be okay, buddy."
Noah nods, "Okay, Daddy..."
I look at my boys once more before I rush to the cruiser's passenger side. Sheriff Grady wastes no time, putting on the lights and sirens as my dad follows us to the hospital, the road ahead clear.
Wendy. Car accident. T-bone.
Wendy. Car accident. T-bone.
Wendy. Car accident. T-bone.
